Stock levels of vaccine improve following shortages
29th September 2023
The National Sheep Association has welcomed news that stock levels of EAE vaccines are returning to normal.
As the sheep breeding season gets underway, later lambing flocks will now be able to source vaccines protecting breeding ewes from enzootic abortion (EAE).
With the vaccine needing to be administered at least four weeks before tupping it has been a critical time for sheep farmers trying to source the vaccine.
NSA chief executive Phil Stocker urged sheep farmers to speak to their vet or vaccine supplier to ensure ewes are protected.
“After months of NSA calling for any action to improve vaccine stocks it is particularly good news to hear of some return to normal,” he commented.
Vital vaccines for sheep and beef have become scarce during the past three years due to disruptions to animal vaccine supplies. These include those for clostridial diseases, Pasteurellosis, toxoplasmosis, enzootic abortion, foot rot, and orf.
Ceva Animal Health recently announced stock challenges for the Cevac Chlamydia EAE vaccine, reported earlier this year, had been resolved.
NSA will be discussing the recent shortage of livestock vaccines in the UK in its next NSA Breakfast Club.
Attendees will hear from Jonathon Statham – chair of the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England Committee – who will discuss the reasons behind the shortages across supply chains, how it is being rectified and how long it might take to resolve, as well as the wider long term impacts across the livestock sector.
“We will also hear from Dr Joe Henry – specialist beef and sheep vet (Black Sheep Vets) on management practices, how to mitigate long term impacts and what to do if you can’t access vaccines along with what should be classed as priority stock and how you can move towards overcoming some impacts of a vaccine shortage across industry,” Mr Stocker concludes.
The NSA Breakfast Club webinar series is free to join. ‘Vaccines, why we can’t get them and how to manage the implications’ will take place on Wednesday 4th October at 8.30am. To register visit: https://www.nationalsheep.org.uk/events/forthcoming-events/240141/nsa-breakfast-club-webinar-vaccines-why-we-can-t-get-them-and-how-to-manage-the-implications/
