Immunogenic activity of “ARRIAH-AviFluVac” vaccine against high-pathogenicity H5N1 avian influenza virus relevant for Russia in 2023

Introduction. Vaccination against high-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) is a well-proven way to control the disease. Inactivated whole-virion products are the most popular among the influenza vaccines. It is important to study immunogenicity of “ARRIAH-AviFluVac” vaccine against currently circulating HPAI viruses.

Objective. To assess immunogenic activity of “ARRIAH-AviFluVac” inactivated vaccine against high-pathogenicity avian influenza virus (H5N1 subtype) which was relevant for Russia in 2023.

Materials and methods. For testing purposes 4 vaccine dilutions were prepared containing whole and diluted H5 avian influenza virus antigen (1/25, 1/50 and 1/100). Each diluted sample was used to vaccinate a separate group of 4-week-old chickens. On day 28 post vaccination, the chickens were challenged with avian influenza virus A/gull/Kirov/998-1/2023 H5N1, which was isolated during an outbreak in the Russian Federation and was phylogenetically defined as high-pathogenicity agent belonging to the Asian genetic lineage of HPAI subtype H5 (clade 2.3.4.4b). Dead and sick chickens were reported in the infected groups for 6 days.

Results. The chickens vaccinated with a whole antigen dose were found to be completely protected from the clinical signs after the challenge. A decrease in the antigen concentration in the vaccine volume decreased the vaccine-induced protection. The mortality rate after the challenge of control (intact) chickens was 10/10. An analysis of the dependence of the vaccine protectivity on the volume of the antigen immunizing dose showed that one inoculation dose contained 97 PD₅₀. An analysis of the link between protection and strength of the post-vaccination humoral immunity allowed to calculate that the expected mean antibody titer in the group, which corresponds to 90% protection in the vaccinated birds, was 5.7 log₂ , or ≈ 1:52.

Conclusion. “ARRIAH-AviFluVac” vaccine demonstrates high immunogenicity against 

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