U.S. Hesitates on Bird Flu Vaccination Despite Record Egg Prices

Concerns over export markets and logistical challenges delay adoption of poultry vaccines as bird flu devastates flocks and drives up costs.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has allocated $100 million to study bird flu vaccines as part of a $1 billion effort to curb the virus's impact on poultry farms.
Over 166 million birds have been culled since 2022 to contain the spread of bird flu, with egg-laying hens being the hardest hit, contributing to record-high egg prices averaging $5.90 per dozen in February 2025.
Meat chicken producers are hesitant to adopt vaccines, fearing it could jeopardize $4.7 billion in annual exports, while egg and turkey producers, who rely on domestic markets, are more supportive.
Logistical issues, including the need for mass vaccination methods and monitoring vaccinated flocks, are delaying implementation despite successful vaccination programs in countries like China and Mexico.
Egg prices are not expected to drop significantly in the short term, with the USDA predicting a 41% increase in average prices for 2025 compared to the previous year.