The National Steering Committee for Bird Flu Control (NSCBFC) is developing a bird flu vaccination plan for 2006 in localities throughout the country. The vaccination campaign will be implemented in two phases, starting from April. The total cost for buying vaccine is estimated at around VND100 billion (more than US$6 million).
 |
The National Steering Committee for Bird Flu Control (NSCBFC) is developing a bird flu vaccination plan for 2006 in localities throughout the country. The vaccination campaign will be implemented in two phases, starting from April. The total cost for buying vaccine is estimated at around VND100 billion (more than US$6 million).
At a recent NSCBFC meeting, the Central Veterinary Department said localities will launch a vaccination campaign, comprising the third-time injections for chicken and ducks, five months since the end of the second injection phase. The number of new poultry to be vaccinated is twice the number of the 2005 plan.
This year, bird flu vaccination campaigns will be carried out for two courses. The first will fall in April and May and the second in September and October.
Nam Dinh and Tien Giang provinces will implement vaccination campaigns one month earlier while provinces in the Red River Delta and Mekong River Delta and south-east will vaccinate all of their poultry. The remaining provinces may consider vaccinating poultry only in high-risk areas.
Director of the Veterinary Institute Truong Van Dung said that the vaccination campaign in 2006 should be implemented comprehensively nationwide. Border localities, particular those adjoining
According to the Central Veterinary Department, the vaccines are mostly imported from
Representatives from the Ministry of Finance said that approximately VND100 billion proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to purchase vaccine for poultry in 2006 will be approved soon. Vaccine imports must be completed quickly to avoid late deliveries as in 2005, the ministry said.
There has been no new bird flu outbreak during the past two months. Although the bird flu epidemic is under control, the Central Veterinary Department warned that there still remains the risk of recurrences, especially during the winter-spring crop. Hence, the NSCBFC urged localities to implement comprehensive measures to combat bird flu, following instructions from the Government and NSCBFC.
In addition, it is essential to monitor and crack down on the transport, slaughtering, processing and preservation of poultry, so as to ensure safe poultry products for consumers.
(Source: VOV)
