Gallego, Colleagues Urge USDA to Prioritize HPAI Poultry Vaccine Strategy

WASHINGTON - Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and 22 Senate colleagues urged Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to move forward with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) avian flu vaccine strategy for poultry while encouraging a comprehensive, science-based approach.

Earlier this year, Hickman Family Farms, one of the largest egg producers in the country, lost nearly its entire chicken population in Arizona due to avian flu.

"We are writing to encourage the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue prioritizing an avian flu vaccine strategy that takes into account a comprehensive, science-based approach for the potential vaccination of poultry and livestock that have been impacted by this disease," wrote the Senators. "Avian flu infections have already begun to increase as winter approaches, and it is essential that USDA take renewed action to address and fight this virus."

"The USDA recently noted that a draft proposal of an avian flu vaccine strategy for poultry was currently under review, and we strongly urge the Department to advance this review process with speed and diligence, while allowing for proactive consultation with affected stakeholders," the Senators continued. "Any finalized vaccine strategy must take into account feedback from animal health stakeholders, industry experts, and be grounded in sound science. It must also be comprehensive in scope, addressing all impacted species, including turkeys and egg-laying hens. Once a vaccine is developed and USDA has confirmed its safety and efficacy, a vaccine strategy for dairy cattle should also be prioritized."

The National Turkey Federation, the United Egg Producers, the National Milk Producers Federation and the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association endorsed the Senators' call for an HPAI poultry vaccine strategy.

Read the full letter HERE.

Senator Gallego has called for swift executive action to address the spread of avian flu as far back as January of 2023. In January of this year, Senator Gallego urged President Trump, as well as HHS and USDA nominees to take immediate actions to address the impact of the virus on public health, farm operations, and food prices. In February, Gallego pushed for amendments in the Republican-proposed budget resolution to vaccinate US chicken population. In July, he warned Secretary Rollins and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. that the Trump Administration's plan to allow avian flu to spread unchecked through poultry farms would threaten Arizona's farming economy, significantly raise egg prices, and increase the risk of crossover to humans.

12/11/25