The Pigeon Pox vaccine commonly used in Australia is currently unavailable.

Colin Walker is actively working with the APVMA (Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority www.apvma.gov.au ), to obtain a new production and sale permit. Unfortunately, this is going to take longer than first thought. As a result, we will not have access to the vaccine for the remainder of the 2022 season and possibly into early 2023.

The Pigeon Pox vaccine is a live virus vaccine and once the birds are vaccinated, they can carry the virus for up to 6 weeks.

The racing season is fast approaching (7-8 weeks away). In the best interest of our racing pigeons and to reduce the high risk of vaccinated birds infecting non vaccinated birds the VRPB (Victorian Racing Pigeon Body Inc) requests that effective immediately all flyers in Victoria stop / do not vaccinate their race team. If you have already vaccinated your race team with left over vaccine from last year this is okay, but we ask that you all follow the appropriate protocols to minimise the mixing of pigeons from other lofts.

Effective immediately. No further vaccination of racing pigeons should occur with pigeon pox vaccine until the issue with accessing the vaccine now and in the future is resolved.
For more information on Pigeon Pox and the vaccination process please refer to.

1. The Australian Pigeon Company (Colin Walker).
https://www.auspigeonco.com.au/pox-virus.html

2. Australian Racing Pigeon Journal Vol 30 No: 4 April 2022 page 20 (Jeff Howell).
https://www.pigeonjournal.com

Regards
VRPB Executive.