Brought to you by AHDB this blog is a summary of the BTV-3 Vaccine Campaign frequently asked questions...
ASSESS YOUR RISK – vets and farmers working together to evaluate the risk to BTV-3 on farms by using the ‘vaccine decision maker tool’ together.
PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS - safeguard businesses from restrictions by managing all identified risks that can be controlled on livestock holdings.
DEFEND YOUR STOCK - vaccinate the right animals for BTV-3 to reduce transmission and stop the spread.
Q: Is there a vaccine for BTV-3?
A: Defra’s Secretary of State has permitted the use of three unauthorised bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccines within the UK, subject to licence (16 September 2024).
Q: Do the BTV-3 vaccines prevent disease?
A: The BTV-3 vaccines claim to reduce viraemia rather than prevent it.
This means they may not prevent animals from being infected or infectious, but (depending on the vaccine) their claims include reduction or prevention of clinical signs and/or mortality.
Q: Will the government be providing vaccines or requiring farmers to vaccinate their animals?
A: The decision to vaccinate is a matter for farmers to discuss with their vet.
It is impossible to predict the impact BTV-3 will have in 2025, but vaccination is of benefit in the case of significant disease and should be considered as an appropriate insurance to protect animals and businesses.
Our focus is to ensure that farmers and their private vets are fully informed of the current situation.
Vaccination will be less effective once disease is significant.
Q: Should we be vaccinating animals against other serotypes of BTV?
A: For serotypes where vaccines are available (such as BTV-1, -2, -4 and -8), vaccination is the best way to protect livestock.
Livestock keepers should discuss with their vet whether vaccination is an option which will benefit their business.
Vets can apply to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) for a Special Import Certificate, which will allow livestock keepers to import safe and effective bluetongue vaccines directly from the EU.
Q: Can farmers move BTV-3 vaccinated animals if they are in the restriction zone (RZ)?
A: All movement controls and trade restrictions still apply to vaccinated animals.
This is subject to change; for the current status, please see: Bluetongue movement licences and designated slaughterhouses.
The BTV-3 vaccine cannot be used in Scotland and Wales at this time, but BTV-3-vaccinated animals from England (from the BTV-3-free area) are permitted to move into Scotland and Wales, as any other animal can.
Q: When do farmers need to vaccinate to maximise the effects and what livestock should be vaccinated?
A: Farmers should consider vaccinating animals if:
There is a high density of ruminant farms in the area, particularly if any of these had confirmed cases of BTV-3 in 2024
The farm is situated in a high-risk area (south/east England)
They plan to buy in animals or to transport animals back home from distant sales or shows
The weather conditions have been unseasonably warm
They keep cattle, sheep and/or other ruminants or camelids
Prioritise the following livestock:
High-value breeding stock, rare breeds and pedigrees
Animals not pregnant or in mid pregnancy
Breeding males – particularly if they only have a few and expect them to serve lots of females
Q: Will vaccinating pregnant ewes protect their lambs?
A: Like any sheep or cattle vaccine, there will be maternal transfer of immunity in the colostrum to lambs and calves, and this will protect newborns.
This immunity will wane over the first few months of life, and lambs and calves will require their own vaccination to be protected in the longer term.
The timing of this vaccination is important, as the maternal antibodies will inhibit the vaccine – the manufacturers’ recommendation for most vaccines
(including BTV vaccines) is to wait 1–3 months
before vaccinating lambs and calves.
Q: If farmers choose to vaccinate, will they still need to test for BTV?
A: If you have vaccinated your livestock, you will still need to test if you suspect BTV as the vaccine does not prevent infection.
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