Vaccine approval contributes to equine influenza response preparedness

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) has welcomed ERMA’s approval of the Flu Avert® I.N vaccine for emergency use, should New Zealand ever face an equine influenza outbreak.


MAFBNZ’s Team Manager Animal Response, Andre van Halderen, says MAFBNZ already has two inactivated equine influenza vaccines registered for use, but wishes to broaden the vaccine options to ensure that MAFBNZ has a wide range of response options at its disposal.


This Flu Avert® I.N vaccine will only be used in the event of an outbreak. The decision to vaccinate and which vaccine to use, will be determined by: the strain of virus involved; the extent of the outbreak; and the purpose for which the vaccine is intended to be used.


“This approval further strengthens our response capability should we ever face an outbreak of the virus and is part of the response preparedness work we are undertaking with the equine industry,” Dr van Halderen says.


The vaccine is not genetically modified, although it is described as a modified live vaccine. Other modified live vaccines are already in veterinary use in New Zealand.