Source: NATIONAL ASSOC. OF STATE DEPTS. OF AGRICULTURE, 7/26/16
 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) continues to prepare for the potential return of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the future. APHIS is issuing its final in a series of requests for proposals (RFP) for vaccine manufacturers with the interest and capability to supply a variety of EA H5 vaccines in sufficient numbers to add to the emergency stockpile.  The RFP closes on August 21, 2016.

APHIS has not approved the use of vaccine to respond to HPAI to date; however, the Agency is preparing to ensure that vaccine is available should the decision be made to use it. Any decision to use vaccination in a future HPAI outbreak would require careful consideration of the efficacy of the vaccine, any impacts of using HPAI vaccine in the field, and the potential trade impacts. In response to previous RFPs, APHIS purchased doses of vaccines for the Eurasian H5 (EA H5) virus strain and placed them in the National Veterinary Stockpile.  

Vaccines will be carefully evaluated on a number of factors including their efficacy against EA H5 viruses, and products must meet all of APHIS’ safety, potency, and purity standards. All eligible products to be considered must be either conditionally or fully licensed or permitted at the time of submission. Vaccine manufacturers will be evaluated on their ability to produce such vaccines in a timely manner in adequate numbers to meet the needs of the response.