6. Pharmaceutical outlets

6.1 The embryonated egg

Embryonated eggs are used worldwide to manufacture vaccines for human and animal influenza (swine, equine), for poultry vaccines and for the culture of certain other viruses.

The chicken egg embryo remains the classic means of multiplying the influenza virus. The international Pasteur Mérieux Connaught Serums and Vaccines group uses tens of millions of eggs every year. These eggs are produced on poultry farms that undergo strict health checks, including blood tests, feed monitoring and very precise specifications. The fertilized eggs produced by these laying hens with roosters are disinfected immediately after laying, then incubated for 11 days (figure