February 27, 2025

 

Boehringer Ingelheim launches new trivalent poultry vaccine

 

 

With VAXXITEK^® HVT+IBD+H5, Boehringer Ingelheim is expanding its proven VAXXITEK^® range with a new vaccine that protects against three severe poultry diseases: Marek's disease, Infectious Bursal Disease, and H5 avian influenza.

 

Leveraging the company's extensive expertise in avian influenza protection, the vaccine will first launch in Egypt in February 2025.

 

VAXXITEK^® HVT+IBD+H5 is manufactured in the United States where it has been licensed since 2023. However, avian influenza vaccination is currently not permitted in the US.

 

"The launch of VAXXITEK^® HVT+IBD+H5 is another step forward in avian influenza prevention regarding both coverage and convenience," said Taoufik Rawi, Head of Franchise (Poultry) at Boehringer Ingelheim. "Our customers must keep their flocks thriving and protect their chickens from health threats. We help them through our new three-in-one vaccine which is quick and effective. It combines broad protection against the most prevalent H5 avian influenza clades and two major poultry diseases in just one shot."

 

A clade is a group of viral strains that share a common ancestor. While traditional bird flu vaccines often only cover one clade at a time, Boehringer Ingelheim leveraged a technology called Computationally Optimised Broadly Reactive Antigen (COBRA) to create a unique antigen sequence which provides protection against the most prevalent and infectious H5 clades. 

 

Waleed El Mashak, Head of Animal Health (India, Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, or IMETA) at Boehringer Ingelheim, said: "As a region heavily impacted by avian influenza, the launch of VAXXITEK^® HVT+IBD+H5 represents a critical advancement for poultry farmers across IMETA. By offering cross-clade protection against H5 avian influenza alongside immunity against other major diseases, this innovative vaccine provides farmers with a comprehensive and efficient solution to safeguard their flocks and support sustainable poultry farming."

 

VAXXITEK^® HVT+IBD+H5 is administered directly at the hatchery, providing early protection for chicks, avoiding any immunity gap. This refers to the potential gap between the decrease of maternal antibodies in the chicks and the raise of active immunity due to vaccination.

 

Just like Boehringer's other avian influenza vaccines, VAXXITEK^® HVT+IBD+H5 is a Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals (DIVA) vaccine. This is crucial to distinguish between vaccinated and naturally infected birds in case of a disease outbreak. 

 

"As a leader in animal health, it is our responsibility to support our customers in raising and caring for their poultry in a healthy, sustainable, and financially viable way," Rawi added. "With VAXXITEK^® HVT+IBD+H5, we're not just protecting poultry, we're preserving livelihoods and contributing to global health security."  

 

- Boehringer Ingelheim