With use of vaccines key in a number of RUMA’s Targets Task Force goals for antibiotic use published in 2017, this is seen as a sign that UK farmers and vets are continuing to engage in what has become a global effort to reduce antibiotic use – and therefore antibiotic resistance.
The analysis of data from Kynetec, contained in an AHDB report to be released on 29 October to coincide with the RUMA biennial conference, shows almost 10 million doses of vaccine were sold for use in cattle in 2018.
Derek Armstrong, lead vet from AHDB, says the big rise has been in vaccines to protect against pneumonia in calves, a condition many vets would otherwise end up treating with antibiotics.
“Sales here have risen 35 percent since 2011, with two fifths of animals receiving vaccinal protection in 2018. Vaccines for Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis have also gone up 50 percent over the same period.”
Mr Armstrong explains that the increasing trend for respiratory disease prevention is particularly relevant at this time of year as cattle head into the high-risk, high-stress period around weaning and winter housing.
“Prevention is definitely better than cure – heading off infection with careful nutrition, good ventilation and appropriate vaccination will also increase growth rates as animals won’t be fighting off infection.”
Other good news is that one in five breeding cows now receives vaccination for calf enteritis, protecting the calf through passive transfer of antibodies in her colostrum. But the data also shows vaccine use to prevent BVD fell to its lowest level since 2011.
“However, this could be a positive sign that ‘BVD Free’ herds are now concentrating on biosecurity rather than vaccination. Either way it’s something the industry needs to keep an eye on – especially as BVD is a disease which impacts the immune system and can lead to bacterial infections which then need antibiotic treatment,” adds Mr Armstrong.
The UK sheep sector also saw the highest uptake of vaccines in over six years with almost 39 million doses sold in 2018.
Chair of the Sheep Antibiotic Guardian Group, Dr Fiona Lovatt, says that for the first time since 2012, over two-thirds of all sheep which should be vaccinated against clostridial diseases were vaccinated, and over half were vaccinated against Pasteurella.
“This is positive step in the right direction as we try to shift behaviour away from treating disease to planning ahead to prevent disease and protect the flock,” she says.
Despite issues with vaccine supply, use of vaccines to protect against abortion have also risen steadily since 2013. “However, further uptake could deliver significantly improved lambing percentages on-farm. It is still only one in four first-time breeding ewes that is protected against Toxoplasma, and two in every five against Enzootic Abortion.”
And Dr Lovatt adds that while sales of foot rot vaccine had been steadily climbing since 2013, there was a small drop in uptake from 15 percent of breeding animals in 2017 to 13 percent in 2018, which may have been due to the very dry summer.
“Foot rot vaccination is one of the important elements of the five-point plan to control lameness and a key RUMA Task Force target; more shepherds should consider making it part of their lameness control strategy.
“Overall, it’s not essential for every flock to use every available vaccine, but there’s definitely a case for every shepherd to plan for disease control alongside their vet as they reflect on the risks their flock faces.
“For example, foot rot vaccine should always be considered if more than 2 percent of the flock is lame with foot rot at any one time,” she says.
Donal Murphy, head of Technical and Regulatory Affairs at the National Office of Animal Health, comments: “This overall increase in vaccine uptake is excellent news for health and welfare of the UK’s herds and flocks – but we echo that there is still work to be done.
“NOAH is pleased to be working alongside RUMA and its members with a #VaccinesWork campaign this autumn. This will raise awareness of how and why vaccines work and the range of diseases they protect against, as well as helping improve how vaccines are stored and administered. We hope this will encourage even better uptake of vaccines.”
Most vaccines are prescribed, but some are available through a prescription from a Suitably Qualified Person (SQP) – a qualified animal medicines advisor who is entitled to prescribe or supply certain veterinary medicines under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations.
