11/10/2023 (Agence Europe) – Preventive vaccination is the optimal vaccination strategy to minimise the number of outbreaks of avian influenza, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on Tuesday 10 October. It has published the first part of its new scientific opinion on avian influenza, which consists of an assessment of the vaccines available. “Although a large number of vaccines based on different technologies are produced, few of them are marketed”, notes EFSA. It is therefore calling for more research and approval of new vaccines in the EU. “In case of an outbreak, emergency protective vaccination is recommended within a 3-km radius of the outbreak in high-risk transmission areas”, recommends the EFSA. The second part of its scientific opinion, on monitoring measures, is due to be published in March 2024. (LC)