Inactivated infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) vaccine was prepared using a local isolate from Egypt
with Montanide ISA70VG as oil adjuvant. The prepared vaccine was evaluated in comparison with an
inactivated imported vaccine. Chicks vaccinated with either prepared or imported vaccines showed high
serum antibody titers from the 3rd week post vaccination and reached the highest titer at the 4th week post
vaccination using SNT and ELISA. Duration of suitable immune response prolonged to 14 weeks post
vaccination for the prepared vaccine and 16 weeks post vaccination for the imported vaccine. Both prepared
and imported vaccines showed 100% protection in vaccinated chicks challenged with the very virulent
IBDV 21 days post vaccination with no clinical signs or lesions on examination. It was concluded that
inactivated vaccine prepared from local isolated IBDV strain was safe, potent and immunogenic in young
chicks.