A recent British Egg Industry Council derogation to the Lion Code of Practice allowing AviPro Salmonella Duo to be used as an in-lay vaccination has been welcomed as a significant development for UK egg producers.
According to Elanco, the move responds to changing flock management practices, with laying cycles becoming longer and flock performance continuing to improve.
Joshua Davison and Jeremy Marsh of Elanco said: “For some time, the sector has recognised that as laying cycles become longer and flock performance continues to improve, vaccination programmes need to evolve alongside them.”
The updated authorisation means AviPro Salmonella Duo, previously administered only during rear, can now be used during lay to support Salmonella protection later in the production cycle.
Davison and Marsh noted that decisions on using the vaccine should be made on a flock-by-flock basis by producers, vets and packers, taking into account the requirements and risk profile of individual sites. However, they suggested uptake could be high as more flocks remain in production for longer.
They emphasised that administering a live Salmonella vaccine during lay will represent a new management step for many egg producers and highlighted the need for clear protocols, communication and training.
Elanco said it is supporting the vaccine roll-out through training and guidance programmes for producers, vets and packers.
The company also stressed that in-lay vaccination should form part of a broader Salmonella control strategy alongside existing standards, management practices and vaccination programmes.
“The industry has been asking for a vaccination programme that better reflects the reality of longer-lived hens, and we have now got it,” Davison and Marsh said. “The priority now is to ensure it is used confidently, consistently and in the right situations, to help maintain the egg industry’s strong track record of Salmonella control.”