The Vermont Senate has passed a resolution urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to expedite the creation and implementation of a national reserve and distribution system for avian influenza vaccines, specifically targeting small- and medium-sized poultry farms. The resolution highlights the ongoing threat posed by the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus, which has affected over 168 million birds across the U.S. and has resulted in human cases, albeit with a low risk to the general population. The Senate emphasizes the need for a comprehensive response to effectively combat the virus and protect poultry flocks.

The resolution notes that the USDA has already taken steps to address the avian flu crisis, including the recent conditional licensing of a new vaccine by Zoetis. However, the urgency of the situation calls for a more immediate and organized federal response, similar to the rapid distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. The Vermont Senate is advocating for swift action to ensure that a national avian flu vaccine stockpile is established and ready for deployment to mitigate the impact of the ongoing avian flu outbreak on poultry farms. The resolution will be sent to key officials, including the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and the Vermont Congressional Delegation.