Aquaculture Welfare

Farmed Salmon Vaccination Progress 2026

Vaccination has dramatically reduced antibiotic use in salmon farming - continued development of new vaccines improves fish welfare and food safety.

Key Facts

Norway reduced antibiotic use in salmon farming by 99% through vaccination from 1987-2000
Multivalent vaccines covering 5-6 pathogens require only one injection per fish
Sea lice vaccines remain a major research priority with promising candidates in trials
Vaccination stress is real but far less than the disease it prevents
Automatic vaccination machines enable rapid, consistent vaccination of millions of smolts

Welfare Considerations

Vaccination is one of the most significant welfare achievements in salmon farming - replacing weeks of antibiotic treatment with a single, brief injection. Continued vaccine development that reduces treatment frequency and disease burden benefits salmon welfare at scale.

What You Can Do

Support research funding for sea lice and other salmon vaccines
Choose Norwegian or Scottish certified salmon from vaccinated, low-antibiotic farms
Advocate for vaccine development investment as a welfare priority in aquaculture