A bipartisan group of U.S. senators called for U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to prioritize “an avian flu strategy that takes into account a comprehensive, science-based approach for the potential vaccination that have been impacted by this disease.”
The letter, dated December 11, 2025, was led by Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Mike Rounds (R-SD).
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has affected more than 184.03 million birds in 1,905 flocks, including more than 21.1 million turkeys and 141.1 million layers, and 1,083 dairy herds across the country since the beginning of the outbreak that began in 2022. In addition, the number of cases is expected to increase as winter approaches, making renewed action “essential,” the letter noted.
"Any finalized vaccine strategy must take into account feedback from animal health stakeholders, industry experts and be grounded in sound science," it continued.
“It must also be comprehensive in scope, addressing all impacted species, including turkeys and egg-laying hens. Once a vaccine is developed and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed its safety and efficacy, a vaccine strategy for dairy cattle should also be prioritized.”
The decision on vaccinating poultry for HPAI falls under the USDA’s five-pronged strategy to combat the disease and lower egg prices. The plan, announced in February 2025, commits to investing US$100 million in HPAI research, evaluating import and export strategies, reducing regulatory burdens to expand supply and lower prices, expediting relief for producers to help repopulation and strengthening biosecurity.
Industry associations voice support
The National Turkey Federation (NTF), the United Egg Producers (UEP) and the National Milk Producers Federation all voiced support for the letter.
“NTF supports USDA developing a vaccination strategy as one component of a broader approach to HPAI, and we believe that plan should be shaped through meaningful stakeholder input and accompanied by active engagement with trading partners to modernize international standards and ensure trade continuity,” said Leslee Oden, president and CEO of the NTF.
Added Chad Gregory, president and CEO, UEP: “America's egg farmers genuinely appreciate the bipartisan Senate cooperation in support of farmers' fight against HPAI. Like everyone, we value food affordability, and we believe that a successful trade strategy that leads to a viable vaccine strategy is the right long-term solution.”
View our continuing coverage of the global avian influenza situation.
To learn more about HPAI cases in commercial poultry flocks in the United States, Mexico and Canada, see an interactive map on WATTPoultry.com.
