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Has the Department of Conservation considered or trialled any vaccines other than Poulvac Flufend RG vaccine to protect native birds from H5 bird flu?

Answered Question 39061 (2026)
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Asked by

Tākuta Ferris

Member for Te Tai Tonga · Independent

Question

  • Has the Department of Conservation considered or trialled any vaccines other than Poulvac Flufend RG vaccine to protect native birds from H5 bird flu?

Answered by

Hon Tama Potaka

Member for Hamilton West · National Party · Minister of Conservation

Answer

I am advised that the Department of Conservation used the Poulvac Flufend RG in the vaccine trial to confirm safety and efficacy for some native bird species but now uses Avian Influenza Vaccine H5N2 Subtype Killed Virus vaccine as this is a closer antigenic match to the strain of H5 bird flu that has been detected in New Zealand.