Compulsory Newcastle disease (ND) vaccination: what every poultry farmer must know
In Poland, vaccination of chickens and turkeys against Newcastle disease is required by law. Find out which regulations apply, who carries out the vaccinations, and how to document them in the flock card.
verifiedFrom the team that has organised work on poultry farms for years.
What is Newcastle disease (ND)?
Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly contagious viral disease of poultry caused by avian paramyxovirus serotype 1 (APMV-1). In chickens and turkeys it can cause mortality rates reaching 100% of a flock within days. Because of the severe economic and epidemiological risk, ND is a notifiable disease in Poland and across the entire European Union.
The vaccination obligation — what does the law say?
The legal basis for compulsory vaccination is the Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on the control and prevention of the spread of Newcastle disease. The Regulation obliges keepers of chickens and turkeys on commercial farms to carry out protective vaccinations within prescribed deadlines. The Veterinary Inspection supervises compliance. The obligation applies to farms registered in the veterinary system — backyard flocks may be subject to separate recommendations.
Who administers the vaccination and which vaccines are used?
Vaccinations against ND must be carried out by a veterinarian or under their supervision. The vet is responsible for selecting the appropriate vaccine (live or inactivated), the method of administration (aerosol, drinking water, injection) and documenting the procedure. Products used must hold a marketing authorisation in Poland issued by the President of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products.
How to document vaccinations in the flock card and veterinary records?
Each vaccination must be recorded in the flock documentation: vaccine name, batch number and expiry date, date of procedure, number of birds, veterinarian’s signature. In digital systems such as DlaFerm.pl, a vaccination entry can be linked to a specific production cycle in the digital flock card. Documentation must be kept and produced on demand during a Veterinary Inspection check. More about ND: Newcastle disease (ND) — symptoms.
Inspections and sanctions for missing vaccinations
The Veterinary Inspection is authorised to carry out checks at any time — announced or unannounced. Missing documented vaccinations or failure to meet deadlines may result in an order to vaccinate the flock immediately at the farmer’s expense, and in extreme cases in a decision to cull the flock or administrative sanctions. Keeping thorough veterinary documentation protects the farmer against such consequences.
What the compulsory Newcastle disease vaccination covers
Each of the points below directly affects the obligations of chicken and turkey farmers.
Species covered by the obligation
The vaccination obligation applies primarily to chickens (broilers, layers, breeding flocks) and turkeys kept on commercial farms. Regulations may cover other poultry species too — always check the current wording of the relevant regulation or ask the vet supervising your farm.
Legal basis
The obligation stems from the MRiRW Regulation on Newcastle disease and the Act of 11 March 2004 on the protection of animal health and combating infectious animal diseases (Journal of Laws 2023 item 1075 as amended). The detailed vaccination programme is approved annually by the Chief Veterinary Officer.
Schedule and frequency of vaccinations
Vaccination schedules are set in the annual programme for combating and monitoring infectious animal diseases, approved by the Chief Veterinary Officer. For chickens, the programme typically provides for primary immunisation of chicks followed by booster vaccinations at defined intervals. The vet supervising the flock establishes the schedule on the basis of the approved programme.
Types of vaccines used
In Poland, live vaccines (e.g. La Sota, Clone 30, Hitchner B1 strains) administered by aerosol or drinking water are authorised, as are inactivated vaccines given by injection — particularly for breeding and laying flocks that require a higher and more durable level of immunity.
Administration by a veterinarian
Vaccinations may only be carried out by a veterinarian or under their direct supervision. Self-vaccination by the farmer without veterinary supervision is not compliant with the regulations and does not exempt the farmer from the obligation to have the procedure documented by an authorised person.
Supervision by the Veterinary Inspection
GIW and district veterinary inspections verify compliance with the vaccination programme during routine farm inspections. An inspector may request vaccination documentation (protocols, vet statements, vaccine labels) covering at least the previous 12 months.
How to plan vaccinations and maintain records on the farm
Good scheduling and documentation saves time during inspections and protects against sanctions.
Agree a schedule with your vet
At the start of a production cycle, agree with the supervising vet on the ND vaccination schedule — dates, vaccine type and method of administration. Enter the dates into the production cycle calendar in DlaFerm.pl so none are missed.
Document every vaccination immediately
After a vaccination the vet should issue a protocol or make an entry in the flock treatment book. Record: date, vaccine name and batch number, method of administration, number of birds, vet’s name and licence number. In DlaFerm.pl you can attach a scanned protocol to the cycle card.
Keep records for at least 3 years
Regulations require veterinary documentation (including vaccination protocols) to be kept for at least 3 years. Paper documents should be protected from moisture and damage. Digital copies provide an additional safeguard.
Be ready for a GIW inspection
A Veterinary Inspection officer can request vaccination documentation during any inspection. Keep to hand: vaccination protocols, vaccine labels or packaging (with batch numbers), the list of veterinary personnel. DlaFerm.pl lets you generate a vaccination summary on demand.
Frequently asked questions about compulsory Newcastle disease (ND) vaccination
Is Newcastle disease (ND) vaccination compulsory in Poland?add
Yes. Vaccination of chickens and turkeys against Newcastle disease is compulsory in Poland under the Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. The obligation applies to commercial farms — the detailed scope and schedule are set by the annual programme for combating and monitoring infectious animal diseases, approved by the Chief Veterinary Officer.
Who may carry out compulsory ND vaccination on a farm?add
Only a veterinarian — or a person acting under their direct supervision — may carry out the vaccination. The vet is responsible for selecting the vaccine, the method of administration, and documenting the procedure. A farmer may not vaccinate the flock independently without veterinary supervision.
Which ND vaccines are used in Poland?add
In Poland, live vaccines (La Sota, Clone 30, Hitchner B1 strains and others) administered by aerosol or drinking water are authorised, as are inactivated vaccines given by injection. The choice of vaccine depends on the species and age of the birds, the housing system, and the stage of the production cycle — the decision is made by the vet supervising the flock.
How often must poultry be vaccinated against ND?add
Frequency depends on the species, housing system and the requirements of the annual programme approved by the Chief Veterinary Officer. Typically, chicks undergo primary immunisation in the first weeks of life, followed by booster vaccinations. The exact schedule for your flock will be established by the vet supervising the farm.
What are the consequences of missing ND vaccinations on a farm?add
Missing documented vaccinations or failing to meet deadlines may result in an order to vaccinate the flock immediately at the farmer’s expense, a decision by the district veterinary officer on further action, and in extreme cases administrative sanctions. The Veterinary Inspection may carry out an unannounced check and request documentation covering at least the previous 12 months.
How does DlaFerm.pl help with ND vaccination documentation?add
DlaFerm.pl enables you to keep a digital flock card to which veterinary events — including ND vaccinations — can be assigned with the date, product name and batch number. Documentation is available at any time on a mobile device and ready to show during a Veterinary Inspection check without searching through paper protocols.
Sources & resources
- linkChief Veterinary Inspectorate (GIW) — programme for combating and monitoring infectious diseases
- linkGov.pl — legislation: act on protection of animal health and combating infectious diseases
- linkISAP — Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture on Newcastle disease
- linkEFSA — risk assessments and scientific opinions on Newcastle disease in poultry
- linkWOAH — Newcastle disease fact sheet
Want to keep ND vaccination records in a digital flock card?
DlaFerm.pl helps you document ND vaccinations and other veterinary events — everything in one place and ready for an inspection. Write to us.
Phone
+48 796 258 151