Kemin launches MEVAC® IB VAR 2 to strengthen poultry flock protection in Brazil

BRAZIL – Kemin has launched MEVAC® IB VAR 2, a new vaccine to protect poultry against Infectious Bronchitis Variant 2 (GI‑23), the company announced this week. 

The vaccine targets a strain that has increasingly challenged flock health in Brazil, the world’s second-largest poultry producer, and supports higher performance and flock resilience, Kemin said.

Infectious bronchitis is a highly contagious viral disease affecting the respiratory tract and, in some strains, the reproductive system of chickens. 

Outbreaks can reduce growth rates, decrease egg production, and increase feed conversion ratios. 

Variant strains such as GI‑23 complicate control, as older vaccines may not fully protect against them. 

MEVAC® IB VAR 2 is designed to address these challenges, providing poultry operations with a more tailored immunisation tool.

Brazil’s poultry market drives demand for advanced vaccines

Brazil produced over 14.4 million tonnes of poultry meat in 2025, according to ABPA, making it the world’s second-largest producer. 

Exports exceeded 4.3 million tonnes, generating more than US$13 billion, highlighting the global significance of maintaining healthy flocks.

The country’s large commercial sector faces constant disease pressure. 

Infectious bronchitis variants, such as GI‑23, can spread rapidly through dense production systems, prompting producers to seek vaccines that match circulating strains. 

Vaccination programs are central to flock health, protecting birds, supporting feed efficiency, and sustaining production economics. 

Feed represents up to 70% of production costs, making disease prevention a crucial factor in profitability.

Kemin’s MEVAC® IB VAR 2 aligns with this need.

The vaccine targets prevalent GI‑23 strains, aiming to reduce clinical signs, limit viral replication, and support flock growth and egg production. 

Advanced vaccines such as this set new benchmarks for flock immunity, demonstrating the benefits of strain-specific immunisation strategies.

In Brazil, vaccination schedules are tailored to production type, flock age, and circulating viral strains. 

Producers often combine live and inactivated vaccines to optimise immunity, especially in high-density commercial operations. 

Variant-specific tools such as MEVAC® IB VAR 2 help fill gaps where traditional vaccines are less effective.

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