Poultry vaccination against avian influenza: what every farmer needs to know
HPAI vaccines are authorised in the EU and used in selected countries. Find out the current status in Poland, who vaccination is for, and what it means for trade.
verifiedFrom the team that has organised work on poultry farms for years.
What is avian influenza (HPAI) and why is vaccination being considered?
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), caused mainly by viruses of the H5N1 subtype (clade 2.3.4.4b), is one of the most serious infectious diseases in poultry production. Since 2020 the EU has recorded unprecedented epizootics leading to the culling of hundreds of millions of birds. In response, the European Commission and EFSA have assessed the use of vaccination as a tool complementing biosecurity — not replacing it.
What is the status of HPAI vaccination in the EU?
The European Union has allowed poultry vaccination against HPAI since 2023 — as a complement to a strategy that until then was dominated by culling infected flocks. France was the first to roll out a large-scale programme: since October 2023 it vaccinates ducks only and by November 2024 had vaccinated about 61 million birds. The Netherlands is running a pilot programme vaccinating laying hens (from 2025 to early 2027). Poland has not yet launched a compulsory or recommended vaccination programme for commercial poultry — the Chief Veterinary Inspectorate (GIW) continuously monitors the situation and issues alerts on the threat level.
Is HPAI vaccination compulsory in Poland?
As of the date this guide was updated (2025/2026), vaccination of poultry against HPAI is neither compulsory nor practised in Poland. Any introduction of such a programme would require an administrative decision by the Chief Veterinary Officer or a ministerial regulation. The subject is, however, under discussion in the industry — the National Poultry Council (KFHDiPJ) has proposed launching a pilot programme for laying hens. Farmers should follow communications from GIW at wetgiw.gov.pl — the situation may change if the threat escalates.
How does vaccination affect trade in poultry and eggs?
Trade impact is a key barrier to widespread vaccine use. The DIVA principle (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) allows vaccinated birds to be distinguished from infected ones using specific diagnostic tests. Countries importing poultry may impose restrictions on products from vaccination zones. For this reason every national vaccination programme must be coordinated with trading partners and notified to the European Commission under Regulation EU 2016/429.
How does DlaFerm.pl help you track the HPAI threat?
DlaFerm.pl provides a map of active HPAI outbreaks in Poland, updated from GIW data. Farmers in restriction zones or near active outbreaks can quickly check which obligations the district veterinary officer’s decision places on them. The app also helps maintain the digital farm entry log — a biosecurity requirement that applies regardless of vaccination status. More at: Avian influenza HPAI and HPAI Map.
What farmers need to know about HPAI vaccination in Europe
Each of the points below directly affects decisions on the farm.
Vaccine authorisation in the EU
Several inactivated H5 HPAI vaccines have received marketing authorisation in the EU. Vaccines must meet EFSA and EMA (European Medicines Agency) requirements and may only be used on the basis of authorisation from the national veterinary authority.
The DIVA principle
DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) is a diagnostic strategy that distinguishes vaccinated birds from infected ones. Its application is a prerequisite for every national vaccination programme — without it, it is impossible to monitor whether the HPAI virus is still circulating in a flock.
Vaccination programmes — France, the Netherlands, Hungary
Since October 2023 France has vaccinated ducks only — compulsory in flocks of at least 250 birds; by November 2024 about 61 million ducks had been vaccinated. According to French data, the first season saw only about 10 HPAI outbreaks against an estimated ~487 without vaccination, and the vaccines used are DIVA-compliant. The Netherlands is running a pilot programme vaccinating laying hens (2025 – early 2027), and Hungary has implemented measures for geese and ducks. Every programme requires prior notification to the European Commission and trade arrangements with third countries.
Poland — monitoring without a programme
GIW carries out active HPAI monitoring (testing of wild birds, poultry and the environment) under a plan approved by the EC. Poland has not implemented a vaccination programme — farmers have no obligation or possibility to vaccinate their flocks without a GIW decision.
Regulation EU 2016/429 — legal framework
The Animal Health Law governs the conditions for preventive and emergency vaccination. Articles 46–48 set out the procedure for member states to create vaccination programmes, requiring approval by the European Commission.
WOAH and international trade
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH/OIE) updates guidelines on trade in poultry from vaccination zones. Exporters must document vaccination status and DIVA test results to maintain market access in importing countries.
What HPAI vaccination would look like in practice
The steps below describe the procedure should a national vaccination programme be launched.
Decision by the veterinary authority
Vaccination may only be carried out on the basis of a decision by the competent authority — GIW or the district veterinary officer. A farmer cannot independently purchase and administer an HPAI vaccine outside an approved programme.
Flock registration and identification
A farm included in a vaccination programme must be registered and have an up-to-date flock count in the records. Vaccinated birds are marked and documented, and vaccination results are reported to the veterinary authority.
Serological testing — the DIVA principle
Vaccination is accompanied by serological testing using a DIVA test, which determines whether the virus is actually circulating in the flock. Without this monitoring it is impossible to distinguish vaccine-induced immunity from infection.
Biosecurity remains compulsory
Vaccination does not replace biosecurity — the farmer’s obligations regarding entry control, clean and dirty zones, disinfection and quarantine of new birds remain in force regardless of the flock’s vaccination status.
Frequently asked questions about poultry vaccination against avian influenza
Can poultry in Poland be vaccinated against avian influenza?add
As of the date this guide was updated (June 2026), Poland does not run a compulsory or recommended vaccination programme for commercial poultry against HPAI. Vaccines are available and authorised in the EU, but their use requires a decision by the Chief Veterinary Officer. Farmers should follow GIW communications at wetgiw.gov.pl.
Which EU countries have vaccinated poultry against HPAI?add
France was the first in the EU to roll out a large-scale vaccination programme — since October 2023 it vaccinates ducks only (compulsory in flocks of 250 birds or more); by November 2024 about 61 million birds had been vaccinated, and the number of HPAI outbreaks fell to about 10 against an estimated ~487 without vaccination. Because the vaccines are DIVA-compliant, in January 2025 the USA resumed imports of French poultry. The Netherlands is running a pilot vaccinating laying hens (2025 – early 2027), and Hungary has implemented measures for geese and ducks.
What is the DIVA principle and why does it matter?add
DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) is a diagnostic strategy that distinguishes vaccinated birds from those actually infected with the HPAI virus. It is a prerequisite for any vaccination programme in the EU — without it, trading partners cannot be confident that a flock is free of the disease.
Does HPAI vaccination affect export possibilities?add
Yes. Third countries may impose import restrictions on poultry and eggs from vaccination zones. For this reason every vaccination programme must be notified to the European Commission and coordinated with trading partners. Applying the DIVA principle and appropriate documentation reduces those restrictions.
Does vaccination replace farm biosecurity?add
No. Vaccination is a complementary tool, not a replacement for biosecurity. A farmer’s obligations — entry control, clean and dirty zones, disinfection, quarantine of new birds — remain in force regardless of whether the flock is vaccinated.
Where can I find current information on the HPAI threat in Poland?add
Current HPAI outbreak alerts are published by the Chief Veterinary Inspectorate at wetgiw.gov.pl and in the European Commission’s ADIS (Animal Disease Information System). DlaFerm.pl also provides an HPAI outbreak map at dlaferm.pl/mapa/hpai — updated continuously from GIW data.
Sources & resources
- linkChief Veterinary Inspectorate (GIW) — alerts and HPAI monitoring
- linkEFSA — risk assessments and scientific opinions on HPAI and poultry vaccination
- linkEuropean Commission — vaccination programmes and Animal Health Law (EU 2016/429)
- linkWOAH — guidelines on trade in poultry from vaccination zones
- linkGov.pl — veterinary news for poultry farmers
Want to monitor the HPAI threat on your farm?
DlaFerm.pl shows active HPAI outbreaks on a map and helps you maintain the documentation required by the Veterinary Inspection. Write to us.
Phone
+48 796 258 151