France selects local and German companies for second bird flu vaccine race

Author: Sibiyeh de la Hameed

PARIS, March 22 (Reuters) – France has selected Boehringer Ingelheim and France’s Ceva Animal Health to provide a vaccine against avian influenza as part of an effort to combat the disease, the companies told Reuters. part of an unprecedented vaccination campaign against a disease that has decimated poultry.

France was one of the areas hardest hit by the global spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the past few years, resulting in the death of tens of millions of poultry in the country.

That led the government to launch a campaign in October to vaccinate all ducks against bird flu, ignoring trade barriers from countries concerned the virus could be spreading unknowingly. Ducks are one of the most susceptible species to the virus.

In the first vaccine tender held in July, the health ministry awarded an order for 80 million doses to Boehringer Ingelheim, a move that sparked outrage from Ceva, which appealed in court. The French company withdrew its appeal the same month, saying it did not want to delay its vaccination campaign.

Boehringer Ingelheim will supply 34.2 million doses, or 61 million doses, as part of the second tender, the company said, adding that deliveries should begin in April.

Ceva CEO Marc Prikazsky told Reuters he was “extremely pleased that Ceva’s solution was chosen.”

France’s agriculture ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Boehringer Ingelheim said it could support French authorities for four years as part of a renewable agreement if it becomes necessary to continue vaccinations against bird flu.

Avian influenza is often carried by migrating wild birds, which then spread from farm to farm. It has wreaked havoc on chicken flocks around the world in recent years, causing supply disruptions, soaring food prices and raising concerns about the risk of human-to-human transmission.

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France has seen a sharp decline in bird flu outbreaks this season. Scientists say this is due to vaccinations and fewer outbreaks in Europe.

That led France to relax bird flu restrictions last week, once again allowing ducks and poultry to roam outdoors.

(Reporting by Sybille de La Hamaide; Editing by Ricardo Figueroa in Spanish)