1400 Merivale Road
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0Y9
Telephone: 1-855-212-7695
Date: January 12, 2026
To: Manufacturers and Importers of Licensed Veterinary Biologics, Veterinarians, and Poultry Producers
This memorandum serves to inform stakeholders that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), through its Canadian Centre for Veterinary Biologics (CCVB), has revised the withdrawal period for certain licensed poultry vaccines against infectious bronchitis and infectious bursal disease from 21 days to 7 days effective February 2, 2026.
Background
The current withdrawal period in Canada for all vaccines used in food producing animals is a minimum of 21 days, regardless of the type of vaccine or species in which they are used. The withdrawal period is product-specific and determined based on the review of data regarding additives found within it.
The CFIA-CCVB evaluated a proposal by the poultry industry to reduce the withdrawal period for certain poultry vaccines manufactured in the United States (U.S.) from 21 days to 7 days. This change is intended to accommodate Canadian broiler chicken production practices, which differ from those in the U.S., and would allow for a vaccine booster closer to slaughter age. The CCVB collaborated with the Canadian Association of Poultry Veterinarians to develop a shortlist of vaccines and worked with subject-matter experts to compile scientific evidence supporting scenarios where a 7-day withdrawal period could be considered.
Considering all the vaccines on the list are manufactured in the U.S., the CCVB also worked with the United States Department of Agriculture's Center for Veterinary Biologics (USDA-CVB) to ensure that this change would not create any regulatory challenges.
Results/Next steps
Export Only labelling, indicating this reduced withdrawal period, has been approved by both the USDA-CVB and the CCVB for use on these products in Canada. As per their new labels, the products listed in Table 1 below will state a 7-day withdrawal period.
The affected manufacturers will update the Canadian Compendium of Veterinary Products to indicate the new withdrawal period, as well as inform their clients directly of this change.
Given the wide range of production timelines for these different products (and for their various presentations), a singular implementation date for the change to a 7-day withdrawal period when using these vaccines in Canada is set for February 2, 2026. As such, for a given product, a short transition period is expected; where both - product labelled with a 21-day withdrawal period and that with a 7-day withdrawal period, may circulate simultaneously in the market immediately after the set implementation date. Both would be allowed to be used with a 7-day withdrawal time during the transition period.
This change is expected to improve poultry health and welfare without impacting food safety.
| Manufacturer | Trade Name | Assigned Name | CCVB File # | USDA PCN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intervet Inc. | CLONEVAC D-78 |
Bursal Disease Vaccine, Live Virus | 800VV/B10.7/I6.2 | 1271.17 |
| Intervet Inc. | UNIVAX PLUS | Bursal Disease Vaccine, Live Virus | 800VV/B10.4/S7 | 1271.41 |
| Intervet Inc. | MILDVAC-Ma5 | Bronchitis Vaccine, Massachusetts Type, Live Virus | 800VV/B1.26/I6.2 | 1231.1A |
| Zoetis Inc. | Bursine 2 | Bursal Disease Vaccine, Live Virus | 800VV/B10.5/S6.2 | 1271.10 |
| Zoetis Inc. | N/A | Bronchitis Vaccine, Massachusetts & Connecticut Type, Live Virus | 800VV/B1.10/S6.2 | 1231.14 |
| Zoetis Inc. | N/A | Bronchitis Vaccine, Massachusetts Type, Live Virus | 800VV/B1.0/S6.2 | 1231.11 |
Memorandum 2026-01 uniquely applies to the six vaccines listed in Table 1. Veterinarians must continue to follow the withdrawal period stated on the respective label for any other vaccines they are using.
If you have any questions about this Memorandum, please contact the CCVB via e-mail at cfia.CCVB-CCPBV.acia@inspection.gc.ca.
Gita Malik-Dahiya, DVM, MVSc, PhD
National Manager
Canadian Centre for Veterinary Biologics
Animal Feed and Veterinary Biologics Division