Summary
Several human outbreaks of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 associated with consumption of hamburger meat have occurred in the USA over the past few years.
Recently two vaccines have been approved for use in cattle in the USA to reduce the shedding of E. coli 0157:H7.
There is concern in the Australian industry that use of a vaccine to reduce shedding of E. coli 0157:H7 will become a mandatory requirement for manufacturing beef to enter the USA.
The aim of this scoping study was to review the available scientific information on the two E. coli 0157:H7 vaccines registered in the USA and determine the likely effectiveness of these in Australian cattle, registration requirements and the likelihood of vaccine uptake in Australia.
The roles industry could take associated with the availability of these vaccines within Australia were also examined.
