State agriculture and animal-health leaders are asking USDA to authorize a voluntary national emergency vaccination framework for dairy cattle against highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI. Their proposal would add vaccines to existing disease-control measures rather than replace testing, biosecurity or movement controls.
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, known as NASDA, announced the request Nov. 6. It said representatives of NASDA and the National Assembly of State Animal Health Officials met with USDA and delivered a letter on Nov. 5. Those dates mark the announcement and meeting, not a vaccination authorization or program start.
Vaccines would supplement existing controls
“The dairy industry must have effective tools to combat HPAI,” NASDA CEO Ted McKinney said in the announcement. He credited the National Milk Testing Strategy and premovement testing with helping detect infections early, while arguing that disease control also needs veterinary countermeasures.
The associations envision vaccination as a voluntary option that state animal-health officials could use alongside surveillance, biosecurity, movement management, animal identification and traceability. They explicitly said vaccines should not displace those measures. Their request seeks federal authority for another tool, not a shift away from the existing control strategy.
Animal health and commerce drive request
National Assembly of State Animal Health Officials President Dr. Alex Hamberg described HPAI as a threat to animal health, food supplies and commerce. He said state and veterinary leaders need additional tools to help farmers protect dairy herds and poultry flocks.
The groups framed their proposal around reducing disease spread and advancing the long-term goal of eradicating HPAI in U.S. dairy cattle. They also cited protection of agricultural businesses and confidence in domestic and international markets as reasons for seeking USDA action.
