Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Campaign to remind farmers of the importance of vaccines
The uptake of vaccines in the sheep and cattle sectors is generally low.

#VaccinesWork to highlight variations in vaccine penetration

The Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture (RUMA) has launched a new campaign to remind prescribers and farmers of the importance of vaccines in protecting all farm animal sectors.

The campaign, #VaccinesWork, aims to highlight variations in vaccine penetration between farm and animal sectors. In particular, it will show where there may be scope for greater uptake and the gains from storing, handling and administering vaccines correctly.

RUMA says the poultry and fish sectors have had success in using vaccines for many years as part of comprehensive and integrated health programmes, and that it hopes other sectors will take inspiration from this.

“Vaccination is not a ‘silver bullet’ for disease control, but it can be an important part of an infection prevention and control of disease planning process, which all farms should have in place in consultation with their vet,” explains RUMA’s secretary general Chris Lloyd.

“In the sheep and cattle sectors, uptake of vaccines is generally low, so the campaign will ask farmers and prescribers to consider whether there is scope to increase levels of vaccination to improve herd or flock immunity – and potentially profitability – on their farms.
 
“Vaccination is already much higher in pigs, but improving how vaccines are stored, handled and administered could boost results significantly.”

RUMA said that in order to ensure prescribed vaccines work effectively, it is essential that the manufacturer and prescriber’s instructions on storage, dose rate and dose interval are followed accurately.

It adds that a disease challenge may present itself for which there is no suitable licensed vaccine. In consultation with the farm vet, laboratories can sometimes develop autogenous vaccines specific to the pathogen causing the problem on the farm.

In some circumstances, the vet may also be able to import a suitable vaccine from either another EU country or from outside of the EU, said RUMA. For more information about #VaccinesWork, please click here

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.