In 1998, Australians will consume about 28.5 kg of chicken meat per person. To maintain a high level of productivity, poultry farmers require effective and safe vaccines to protect their birds against several diseases. Dr Kevin Whithear has led a team that has developed vaccines against two important bacterial infections of poultry, Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae . The vaccines have provided new and acceptable methods of control and will help ensure the supply of superior quality product to the consumer. The poultry industry, through the Chicken Meat and Egg Industry Research and Development Councils provided the initial funding for research on these vaccines.
Many vaccines are developed, few survive the tortuous maze from the laboratory to the farm.
Dr Whithear has not only developed two effective poultry vaccines, he has worked with the poultry industry and pharmaceutical companies to ensure the vaccines are used, both in Australia and overseas. Getting live vaccines accepted into the US and Japanese markets is a remarkable scientific and commercial achievement. The vaccines are now in wide use and have the potential to return millions of dollars in sales and licence fees. Dr Whithear has also provided leadership to future generations of veterinary scientists through the introduction of new technologies in veterinary education.