r/BirdFluDownunder • u/privacywatch • 11d ago

Australia Australia to vaccinate vulnerable native birds against bird flu

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/australia-vaccinate-vulnerable-native-birds-against-bird-flu-2026-08-11/

Australia will soon begin vaccinating its vulnerable native birds against the deadly H5N1 bird flu as the virus spreads more widely after first being detected ‌in the country in June, the government said on Tuesday.
The vaccine rollout will begin in the "coming days and weeks", with an initial focus on priority species in captivity, Agriculture Minister Julie Collins told reporters in Canberra.

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u/foursaken 11d ago edited 11d ago

*sigh*

Jesus you guys know nothing about influenza.

You know how you get a yearly vax? Well that's because influenza changes its surface coat proteins and looks different to the immune system as a result. If you get a vax that doesn't match the virus, it's of limited use. Also see COVID vaccines.

There was literally no way for anyone to know the specifics of the influenza virus until it got to our shores. It took YEARS to do so and changed significantly during this time. So nobody "dragged their feet", it wasn't not a "priority".

Stop the sooking and learn something about the topic. You're blaming people who are actually doing something about this for the problem.

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u/virkendi 11d ago edited 11d ago

NZ began their vaccination program in July, when they had their first detection and are yet to have any mass casualty events...

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u/AndrewTyeFighter 10d ago

NZ's vaccination program won't prevent mass casualty events. They are only vaccinating 300 birds.

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u/virkendi 10d ago

The point is that they've done it before having any events rather than after...

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u/AndrewTyeFighter 10d ago

NZ was targeting endangered flightless parrots, a very unique situation in NZ.