Avian influenza (AI) vaccine can be used in emergency, routine, and preventive programs, although vaccine alone will not completely eliminate AI. Written and reviewed by an international Task Force, this CAST Special Publication provides a summary and education on the crucial issues surrounding AI vaccination.

The correct use of efficacious poultry vaccines is a critical component of overall control and eradication of avian influenza. Speculation about potential problems of vaccine use must be balanced with the real problem of outbreaks in susceptible poultry.

The reported number of bird deaths and subsequent human deaths resulting from exposure to influenza A-infected birds has increased steadily, making front-page news worldwide. Although human viruses do not generally infect birds and bird viruses do not generally infect humans, certain influenza A viruses have historically exhibited an unusual ability to mutate and infect more than one host species.