Specific immunoprophylaxis of infectious avian diseases

The article presents the goals and recommendations for specific immunoprophylaxis in poultry flocks reared in Poland. The types of vaccines applied in the immunoprophylaxis of avian diseases as well as benefits and drawbacks of live and inactivated vaccines are discussed. Emphasis is placed on the fact that the efficiency of vaccinations is determined, to a significant extent, by the route of vaccine administration and that the period between two consecutive vaccinations should not be shorter than 10-14 days. In order to achieve the desired immunizing effect, it is necessary to determine a vaccination program optimal for a given flock, farm, or rearing area of the birds. Exemplary vaccination programs used in Poland for individual bird species, taking into account the current epizootic situation, are presented. Attention is also paid to the fact that the programs of specific prophylaxis are effective on condition that avian rearing is carried out in compliance with the designed technology, age-adjusted feeding and recommendations for bio-safety measures.