Bluetongue vaccine on its way
Wednesday April 30 2008
JAB, the Joint Action against Bluetongue group, has welcomed news the first batch of BTv8 vaccine has now been released for use on farm.
The initial batch of one million doses comes in 20ml bottles but a larger batch of up to two million doses in 50ml bottles should be available within a few days according to an announcement made by Defra Secretary of State Hilary Benn today.
In a joint statement JAB said: "We are delighted Intervet has been able to provide vaccine more quickly than was initially thought and we are very grateful for their efforts which have resulted in this early delivery date. This should put livestock keepers in a very good position to protect their livestock before midge activity increases as the weather gets warmer.
"It means vaccination can begin immediately in the current Protection Zone and then move on very quickly to the remainder of the second priority area as set out in vaccination roll out plan.
"Livestock keepers will clearly have to consider the appropriate vaccine bottle size for their own individual circumstances. However JAB would draw attention to the fact the initial batch of smaller 20ml bottles will be closely followed by the larger 50ml bottles, which are likely to be more cost effective for many livestock keepers."
In order for vaccination to take place the PZ will be extended and livestock keepers in the second priority area can expect to become part of an extended PZ in the next few weeks.
JAB has been encouraging all livestock keepers to discuss their vaccine requirements with their vets and remind them of the JAB slogan "don't hesitate, vaccinate. As part of the campaign 60,000 postcards have been distributed to livestock keepers, together with around 1,000 posters. More are being made available to JAB members and information about the campaign is on individual websites, including NFU Online where there is a Q&A on bluetongue. Further information on the bluetongue vaccine is available on the Intervet website.
Notes to Editors:
1. Groups wanting to order any of the JAB literature should email temp.SE@nfu.org.uk
2. The vaccine roll out plan will be based on the availability of vaccine and the level of disease risks, measured on a county by county basis.
3. Members of the JAB group are: Stakeholders in the JAB partnership are the NFU, National Sheep Association, National Beef Association, British Meat Processors Association , Livestock Auctioneers Association, Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, British Veterinary Association , Country Land and Business Association, Tenant Farmers Association, Association of Independent Meat Suppliers, Dairy UK, British Cattle Veterinary Association, the Sheep Veterinary Society, the Rare Breed Survival Trust, British Alpaca Society, British Llama Society, British Wool Marketing Board, British Simmental Society, English Beef and Lamb Executive and the Sheep Centre.
4. For more information on Defra's roll out plan click here
