Evaluation of vaccination strategies against avian influenza in French poultry production networks: application of the EVACS tool

Vaccination against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HP AI) is currently not authorised in France but has been discussed following recurring epizootic events. The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential benefit of vaccination strategies against avian influenza (AI) in France. EVACS®, a simulation tool previously developed to evaluate vaccination strategies, was applied in the major French poultry production sectors. Vaccination strategies tested at the national level combined the best vaccination scenarios identified at the individual sector level (i.e. hatchery vaccination in all hatcheries for broiler, layer and turkey sectors and farm vaccination in all integrated farms for fattening duck, meat duck and guinea fowl sectors) with the risk level of each production type. Vaccination strategies including the highest number of species and production types were the most efficient in terms of cost-benefits. Such study can support decision making on potential national vaccination strategies to control HP AI in France.