Ceva reveals when bluetongue vaccine will become available 

Ceva Animal Health has announced that its new bluetongue (BTV-3) vaccine, Bluevac-3, will be available from mid-October.

Defra has granted a permit allowing the vaccine to be used in the UK.

Geographically targeted general licences will initially be available to the high-risk counties as part of a phased approach.

Specific licences can also be applied for through APHA. 

Bluevac-3 facts

Bluevac-3 is an inactivated injectable vaccine for immunisation against BTV-3 for use in sheep and cattle.  

It reduces viraemia (the presence of viruses in the blood), prevents mortality and reduces the clinical signs of BTV-3 in sheep, and reduces viraemia in cattle.

In sheep, Bluevac-3 can be administered from two months of age and two doses of 2ml should be administered three weeks apart.  

In cattle, the vaccine can be administered from two months of age and two doses of 4ml should be administered three weeks apart.  

Onset of immunity occurs 21 days/three weeks after completion of primary vaccination in cattle and sheep.  

The vaccine can be used in pregnant cows and ewes.  

No negative impact on milk-yield after using the vaccine in lactating ewes and cows is expected, Ceva said. 

READ MORE: BTV-3 update: Everything we know about the current situation

BTV-3 outbreak causing severe losses

Outbreaks of BTV-3 last year in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany caused severe losses for farmers.  

The newly emerged serotype 3 that is currently spreading has a mortality rate in close to 2.5% in sheep, according to reports.

During the recent BTV-3 outbreak, affected dairy farms have seen reproductive disorders and significant milk losses. 

As well as welfare issues, bluetongue can result in severe economic losses for farmers.

Partnership with vaccine manufacturer 

Ceva has established a partnership with the vaccine’s manufacturer CZV Vaccines. Bluevac-3 was launched in European countries in early summer.

Craig Wright, ruminant business unit director at Ceva Animal Health, says: 

“In co-operation with our partner, CZV Vaccines, we have worked tirelessly to bring Bluevac-3 to the UK to help fight bluetongue which has the potential to cause severe financial loss to farmers.  

“The availability of an effective vaccine is an essential tool to help suppress future outbreaks by reducing viraemia, preventing mortality and reducing the clinical signs of BTV-3.”

You can view the vaccine’s Summary of Product Characteristics on gov.uk, or contact your vet for further information. 

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