Vaccinating poultry could help cut soaring egg prices but US remains hesitant

Vaccines could be a key means of suppressing bird flu and avoiding the slaughter of millions of chickens, which is blamed for egg prices averaging nearly $5 a dozen. But the move has been delayed in part because of concerns it could jeopardize chicken exports that totaled nearly $4.7 billion last year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced plans to spend $100 million to study bird flu and consider vaccines and other strategies to fight the disease in concert with meat chicken, egg and turkey groups. Chicken meat producers remain the most resistant to vaccines. Vaccines could be a key means of suppressing bird flu and avoiding the slaughter of millions of chickens, which is blamed for egg prices averaging nearly $5 a dozen. But the move has been delayed in part because of concerns it could jeopardize chicken exports that totaled nearly $4.7 billion last year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced plans to spend $100 million to study bird flu and consider vaccines and other strategies to fight the disease in concert with meat chicken, egg and turkey groups. Chicken meat producers remain the most resistant to vaccines.  AP Technology and Science