Global animal health company Zoetis has received European Commission (EC) marketing authorisation for Poulvac® Procerta® HVT-ND, a recombinant vector vaccine designed to protect chickens against both Newcastle disease (ND) and Marek's disease through a single administration.
The approval marks another milestone for Zoetis' poultry vaccine portfolio, providing European poultry producers with an additional tool to strengthen flock health and reduce losses associated with two of the industry's most economically significant viral diseases.
The vaccine can be administered either in ovo during embryo development or through subcutaneous injection at hatch, delivering immunity against both diseases with a single dose while simplifying vaccination programmes for commercial poultry operations.
Addressing a Persistent Poultry Health Challenge
Newcastle disease remains one of the most devastating viral diseases affecting poultry worldwide and is classified as a notifiable disease under European Union animal health legislation. Recent outbreaks reported in Germany, Spain and Poland have reinforced concerns over the disease's continued impact on poultry production, trade and food security across Europe.
Poulvac Procerta HVT-ND employs a herpesvirus of turkey (HVT) vector, an established vaccine platform widely used in poultry health for nearly two decades. The recombinant vaccine expresses an antigen from the Newcastle disease virus, enabling birds to develop immunity against Newcastle disease while simultaneously protecting them from Marek's disease.
According to Kevin Esch, Executive Vice President and President, Research and Development at Zoetis, the approval expands disease prevention options for poultry producers while reinforcing the company's long-standing commitment to advancing poultry health through innovative vaccine technologies.
He noted that the European authorisation also creates new export opportunities for poultry producers, particularly in Southeast Asian markets where the vaccine has already been approved, supporting international trade while strengthening disease control efforts.
Expanding the Procerta Vaccine Portfolio
The newly authorised vaccine becomes the third product within Zoetis' Poulvac Procerta recombinant vaccine portfolio to receive European Commission approval.
The portfolio already includes Poulvac Procerta HVT-IBD, which protects against infectious bursal disease and Marek's disease, as well as Poulvac Procerta HVT-IBD-ND, approved in 2025, which provides simultaneous protection against Newcastle disease, infectious bursal disease and Marek's disease through a single-dose vaccination programme.
The latest approval further broadens the company's disease prevention options, allowing poultry producers to select vaccination strategies based on regional disease prevalence and production requirements.
Timely Approval Amid Rising Disease Pressure
Zoetis said the approval comes at an important time for the European poultry sector as recurring outbreaks continue to threaten commercial production across several countries.
Julia von Gablenz, Regional President for Europe and the Middle East at Zoetis, said the continued emergence of Newcastle disease across Europe underscores the need for effective vaccination programmes and integrated flock health management.
She added that the company looks forward to working closely with veterinarians and poultry producers to support the vaccine's adoption as part of comprehensive disease prevention strategies.
Strengthening Global Poultry Disease Control
Poulvac Procerta HVT-ND is approved for the active immunisation of one-day-old chicks as well as 18–19-day-old embryonated eggs, offering producers greater flexibility in vaccination scheduling.
Already authorised in more than 35 countries worldwide, the vaccine strengthens Zoetis' global poultry health portfolio and reflects the increasing adoption of recombinant vector vaccine technologies designed to improve disease protection while simplifying vaccination protocols.
As poultry producers face mounting challenges from transboundary animal diseases, evolving disease epidemiology and increasing biosecurity requirements, advanced combination vaccines such as Poulvac Procerta HVT-ND are expected to play an increasingly important role in improving flock health, safeguarding productivity and supporting sustainable poultry production worldwide.
