Advanced National Manual for Poultry Vaccination Practices in Iraq
Dr. Majed Hamed Al Saegh / poultry pathologist / Australia
4/ 7/ 2025
Prepared according to the latest international scientific references for the year 2025, based on data from the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Manual for Veterinary Public Health.
Introduction
With the increasing epidemiological challenges resulting from climate change, increased animal protein consumption, and the expansion of poultry production, there is a need for a comprehensive national manual based on the latest global concepts in vaccination management. This manual is intended to be an advanced practical reference for graduate students and veterinarians in Iraq, covering the latest technologies, risk-guided vaccination procedures, statistical principles for assessing immune response, and refrigeration and quality control systems.
[Source: FAO (2023), WHO (2024), WOAH Terrestrial Manual – Vaccination Principles, 2025]
Chapter One: Scientific Concepts in Vaccination
1.1 Mechanism of Immunization
Immunization aims to stimulate specialized immunity (cellular and humoral) using attenuated or inactivated antigens. The immune response depends on the type of vaccine, the method of administration, the age of the bird, and the number of doses. Immune stimulation occurs through receptors on T and B cells, leading to the production of antibodies or the activation of specialized killer cells.
[WOAH, 2025. Principles of Veterinary Vaccination]
1.2 Modern Vaccination Strategies:
- Prime and Booster Vaccination
- Multi-phase Vaccination Programs
- Risk-Based Vaccination
- Recombinant/DNA Vaccines
[FAO, 2023. Risk-based Vaccination in Poultry Health Programs]
1.3 Differences between Vaccine Types:
Type Example Advantages Disadvantages
Live attenuated (ND La Sota) Rapid and prolonged immune response Risk of re-virulence – Not suitable for epidemics
Killed/inactivated (AI H9) AI H9 Inactivated Safe – Non-infectious Requires booster – Does not provide mucosal immunity
Recombinant (HVT-IBD) Precise – Integrates into vector viruses Highly costly – Requires special preparation
[CDC, 2023] 2025. Vaccine Platforms in Avian Systems]
Chapter Two: Advanced Biosecurity
2.1 Biosecurity Systems 2025
Biosecurity is an integrated biological defense system that includes preventive measures, sterilization, entry and exit control, and movement tracking.
- HACCP Hazard Analysis Application
- Biological Isolation Using Inspection and Monitoring Systems
- Automatic Entry Gates with a Fog Sanitation System
- Linking to National Vaccination Databases
[WHO & WOAH, 2024. Integrated Biosecurity Frameworks for Poultry]
2.2 Biosecurity Assessment:
Indicators Include Outbreak Rates, Number of Veterinary Treatments, and Survival Rates
[FAO, 2023. Evaluating Biosecurity Performance in Poultry Units]
Chapter Three: Vaccine Receiving and Storage Systems
3.1 Cold Chain Requirements:
Use of Dedicated Refrigerators Equipped with Thermal Sensors and Data Loggers
Temperature Range:
- RNA Vaccines: -70°C
- Inactivated Vaccines: 4–8°C
- Live Attenuated Vaccines: 2–8°C
[WOAH, 2025. Cold Chain Guidelines for Veterinary Vaccines]
3.2 Procedures Storage:
- Store vaccines away from light and moisture.
- Use the FIFO (first in, first out) method.
- Record quantities, batch number, expiration date, and effective use-by date.
[WHO, 2024. Safe Storage of Veterinary Immunobiologics]
Chapter Four: Veterinary Flock Management
4.1 Flock Assessment:
- Conduct a pre-health assessment including: temperature, respiration, body size, and flock distribution.
- Take blood samples for laboratory testing if necessary.
[AVMA, 2024. Poultry Clinical Assessment Protocols]
4.2 Timeline Planning:
- Select vaccination times during the bird’s physiological resting period.
- Minimize heat and climatic stress factors before vaccination.
[FAO, 2023. Strategic Flock Management in Tropical Poultry Units]
Chapter Five: Advanced Applications of Vaccination Methods
5.1 Modern Methods:
- Multi-needle injection – Automated conveyor feeding – Gel spray vaccination
- Use of drones in poultry vaccination in open systems
[WOAH, 2024. Automation and Innovation in Veterinary Immunization]
5.2 Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Monitor antibody concentrations using ELISA
- Confirmation Biopsy/PCR response by disease type
- Clinical assessment 14–21 days post-vaccination
[WHO, 2024. Diagnostic and Evaluation Tools for Vaccine Performance]
Chapter 6: Evaluation and Verification of Vaccination Success
6.1 Indicators of Success:
- Increased serum antibody levels
- Decreased incidence and outbreaks
- Improved production performance (egg/growth rates)
[FAO, 2025. Field Evaluation and Serological Monitoring of Poultry Vaccination Programs]
6.2 Documentation Procedures:
- Preparing periodic reports of results
- Linking them to veterinary farm databases in Iraq
Conclusion
This guide focuses on integrating current knowledge and practical recommendations based on the 2025 Global Guidelines for Poultry Vaccination.
Final Recommendations:
- Adherence to national and international vaccine regulations.
- Establish national centers to monitor vaccination performance.
- Adopt artificial intelligence strategies to analyze immune response data.
