A worsening bird flu outbreak has sparked debate over whether vaccination is the key to protect Australian wildlife from the deadly strain. The task of vaccinating wild animals would be especially challenging, University of Adelaide immunologist Mohammed Alsharifi told AAP. “If we’re talking about vaccinating wild birds, I think that’s a big task,” Associate Professor Alsharifi said. He pointed out that New Zealand birds like the kakapo and takahe were flightless “which helps”. He said New Zealand birds were all heavily managed, with many or the majority of their tiny populations monitored by tracking devices.