A new bird flu vaccine developed at the UK's Pirbright research facility has produced positive results in trials, increasing hopes for cheap, whole life protection against the resurgent disease.

Researchers at Pirbright claim that their new vaccine, for the H9N2 strain of avian flu, is easier and less costly to produce than alternatives, and is able to induce a faster and stronger immune response in vaccinated chickens due to its design, known as a ‘targeted antigen delivery vaccine’.

This mechanism helps bypass the early life immunity passed on to chicks via their mothers, which can decrease the effectiveness of vaccines, leaving them more susceptible to disease. This is important as chicks are usually vaccinated against flu one day after hatching, when maternal antibodies are at their highest level.

Head of Pirbright’s Avian Influenza Virus group, Professor Munir Iqbal, said: “This research highlights the importance of improving vaccine development which will reduce disease and improve animal welfare.

"Targeted antigen delivery vaccines have the potential to be the next generation of poultry vaccines as they generate powerful immune responses which protect chickens and reduce the risk of avian influenza spreading to humans.

"Furthermore, overcoming maternal antibody interference is important for disease control and will ensure that all chickens are protected once they hatch. Further studies will focus on testing the effectiveness of this vaccine in the field to ensure it can be applied to real life poultry production."