Vaccines could be a key means of suppressing bird flu and avoiding the slaughter of millions of chickens, which is blamed for egg prices averaging nearly $5 a dozen.

Vaccines could be a key means of suppressing bird flu and avoiding the slaughter of millions of chickens, which is blamed for egg prices averaging nearly $6 a dozen. But the move has

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced plans to spend $100 million to study bird flu vaccines to fight the disease in concert with meat chicken, egg and turkey groups.

The United States is facing a dilemma over poultry vaccination as egg prices soar. While vaccinating against bird flu could prevent mass culling and stabilise supply, concerns over trade restrictions and virus monitoring have slowed progress.