How do we manage infectious diseases in poultry? The importance of vaccination depends on the risk and various criteria determine the decision whether to vaccinate or not.
What are the costs of the vaccine compared to the possible damage caused by an outbreak? Can the disease be prevented? A vaccine contains an agent that resembles the disease-causing microorganism and is often made from an attenuated or killed form of the microbe. This agent stimulates the immune system without causing the clinical disease. The vaccinated hen is therefore more resistant against the pathogen for which the vaccine is intended. Most vaccinations should be given during the rearing period. We strongly advise you to discuss the vaccination programme with your vet and/or your supplier of stock. Birds should not be vaccinated in the rearing period if they are sick or in a bad condition. Key diseases to vaccinate against include marek, Newcastle, coccidiosis, infectious bronchitis and gumboro.
