The vaccine for honey bees has been approved by the US.
It was designed to prevent deaths from American foulbrood disease.
According to the firm behind the vaccine's development, the USDA approved a license for the vaccine this week.
Bee pollination is a critical part of the ecology.
Annette Kleiser said in a statement that the vaccine could be a breakthrough in protecting honey bees.
The queen gets immunity from the inactive version of the bacteria when she feeds it royal Jelly.
According to the USDA, the US has seen a reduction in honey bee colonies in the last six years.
Colony Collapse Disorder, which occurs when worker bees abandon a hive and leave behind the queen, is one of the many factors threatening honey bee health.
According to the United Nation's Food and Agricultural Organization, about a third of the world's crop production is done by pollinating animals.
There is no cure for American foulbrood disease. The only way to treat bees with antibiotics is to burn the colony of bees.
According to Dalan Animal health, the vaccine contains an inactive version of the bacterium that causes American foulbrood disease.
The queen bee ingests the feed given to her by worker bees and some of the vaccine is kept in her ovaries according to the firm.
As bees hatch and die from the illness, immunity is given to them.
The California State Beekeepers Association board member said that the new vaccine could be an exciting step forward for the industry.
He said that if we can prevent an infection in our hive, we can avoid costly treatments and focus on other elements of keeping our bees healthy.
Dalan said that the vaccine would probably be available for purchase in the US this year.
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