Canberra, August 11, 2026: Australia will begin vaccinating vulnerable native bird species against H5N1 bird flu as the virus continues to spread, with more than 230 cases reported across the country and a recent mass wildlife die-off raising concerns among conservation authorities.
Pic Credit: Pexel
The vaccination drive will begin in the coming days, with authorities focusing on captive birds and species considered particularly vulnerable or important for conservation.
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said vaccination would be used alongside other measures to protect species at greatest risk, while Environment Minister Murray Watt said vaccinating wild birds on a large scale would be difficult because the vaccine requires two doses.
The government has secured an initial A$2 million worth of vaccines. Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer Beth Cookson said vaccination would not be enough on its own and stressed that strong biosecurity and monitoring would remain essential.
The outbreak has so far been detected in wildlife, with no confirmed H5N1 cases reported in poultry or the wider agricultural sector. Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory remain the only jurisdictions without confirmed cases.
For wildlife experts, the concern is particularly serious for rare and vulnerable native species, where a major outbreak could have long-term consequences. The targeted vaccination programme is therefore aimed at protecting Australia’s most at-risk birds while authorities continue to monitor the wider spread of the virus.