USDA Secretary Rollins: Bird flu shots for chickens “off the table”

• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins has ruled out vaccinating chickens against bird flu as a solution to rising egg prices – citing concerns over effectiveness, safety and potential unintended consequences such as virus mutations and trade disruptions.
• Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has led to the culling of over 166 million birds in the U.S., with 30 million egg-laying hens lost since January, causing severe egg shortages and record-high prices.
• Bird flu vaccines do not provide sterilizing immunity, meaning vaccinated birds can still carry and spread the virus. Mass vaccination is also logistically difficult, requiring individual injections, and risks trade bans from countries that reject vaccinated poultry.
• The USDA is focusing on alternative measures, including enhanced biosecurity (e.g., isolating chickens, disinfecting equipment), increased surveillance and research into more effective therapeutics and next-generation vaccines.
• Rollins emphasizes a science-driven, long-term approach over quick fixes, aiming to protect public health, preserve U.S. agricultural exports and ensure affordable food for American families.

Brooke Rollins, secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), has declared that vaccinating chickens against bird flu is “off the table” as a solution to combat soaring egg prices. This announcement comes as part of a broader $1 billion plan to address the ongoing crisis, which has left American families grappling with skyrocketing grocery bills and empty egg shelves.

While the initial plan included exploring vaccines for livestock, Rollins has since ruled out this option, citing concerns over effectiveness, safety and the potential for unintended consequences. The decision marks a significant shift in strategy and reflects a commitment to prioritizing sound science and long-term solutions over quick fixes.

In a recent interview, Rollins emphasized that vaccines for chickens have proven largely ineffective in other countries such as Mexico, where vaccinated birds still contract the virus at alarming rates. “The virus always wins,” Rollins noted, echoing the wisdom of Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, a fifth-generation farmer and veterinarian. This sobering reality has led the USDA to pivot toward alternative approaches, including increased research into therapeutics and enhanced biosecurity measures.

Bird flu, or highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), has devastated poultry flocks across the U.S. – with more than 166 million birds culled to contain the outbreak. The virus has hit egg-laying hens particularly hard, wiping out 30 million birds since January alone. This has created a severe supply shortage, driving egg prices to record highs.

While vaccines might seem like an obvious solution, the reality is far more complicated. Vaccines for bird flu do not provide “sterilizing immunity,” meaning they cannot completely prevent infections or stop the spread of the virus.

In fact, vaccinated birds can still carry and transmit the virus, potentially leading to dangerous mutations. As Rollins pointed out, this could accelerate the virus’ ability to jump to other species, including humans.

USDA focusing on multi-pronged approach to bird flu

Moreover, vaccinating chickens on a massive scale would be a logistical nightmare. Unlike humans, chickens cannot be vaccinated en masse through aerosolized or waterborne methods. Each bird would need to be individually injected – a time-consuming and costly process for farmers already struggling with tight margins.

The U.S. poultry industry is a global powerhouse, ranking as the second-largest exporter of poultry products worldwide. However, many trading partners refuse to accept vaccinated birds, fearing that vaccines could mask the presence of the virus.

This has led to warnings from industry leaders, including the National Chicken Council (NCC), that vaccinating poultry could jeopardize billions of dollars in exports and inflict significant harm on the U.S. economy.

“Until we have written assurances and trade protections in place with all our trading partners, we will continue to oppose vaccination for HPAI,” the NCC stated. The Congressional Chicken Caucus has also weighed in, urging policymakers to avoid vaccination until trade protections are firmly in place.

Rather than relying on vaccines, Rollins and the USDA are focusing on a multi-pronged approach to combat bird flu. This includes ramping up biosecurity measures like isolating chickens from wild birds, disinfecting equipment, and enhancing surveillance to detect outbreaks early.

Rollins’ decision to take vaccines “off the table” reflects a conservative commitment to evidence-based policymaking and a rejection of knee-jerk reactions that could do more harm than good. By prioritizing research, biosecurity and collaboration with farmers, the USDA is charting a course that balances immediate relief with long-term resilience.

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Watch President Donald Trump asking the USDA to get egg prices down during a joint session of Congress below.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

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Will Trump’s $1B bird flu plan crack the egg crisis?

Government says “bird flu” responsible for rising egg prices.

Sources include:

100PercentFedUp.com

Edition.CNN.com

CBSNews.com

Brighteon.com