RBST and The JAB Campaign are urging farmers and livestock keepers to vaccinate against Blutongue. Midge activity is increasing and the recent spell of warm weather will have seen them multiply dramatically.

 Key Questions and Answers

I vaccinated my animals last year, will they need to be vaccinated again?

All ruminants require annual booster doses. This is considered to be one dose in cattle if they received the two dose primary course in the previous season, and a single dose for sheep.

Booster doses in species other than cattle and sheep will have to be undertaken under the cascade system under the direct personal responsibility of a veterinarian.  

 All licenses state revaccination should be carried out at least two weeks prior to the next vector season

Do I have to use the same vaccine I used last year for the primary course, or can I use a different one?

No data is available on using a different brand for booster vaccination, while some of the available vaccines are similar, there are also some differences.   You should speak to your vet for further advice.

When is the best time to vaccinate?

To ensure vaccine is available at the most convenient time, livestock keepers are encouraged to place their orders early and plan ahead, or take delivery of vaccine now if it can be stored appropriately.

Immunity can take up to three weeks to become established so we encourage all farmers who have not done so to vaccinate at their convenience but prior to turning out and the onset of warmer weather in the spring.

Vaccine is available across the whole of England so livestock keepers can plan vaccination in line with their normal farming and treatment schedules. The risk of infection significantly rises with warmer weather, so vaccinating at the earliest opportunity, before the risk of Bluetongue spread increases with the onset of warmer weather, is paramount. Farmers wishing to order vaccine should speak to their vet as soon as possible. 

I am vaccinating my cattle for the first time. Can I use one vaccine for the first dose and a different one for the second?

No data is available on the use of different vaccines for the primary dose. However it is generally considered good practice to complete primary courses of vaccines with the same brand. It is therefore recommended that the same vaccine should be used for the primary course of vaccination in individual animals (i.e. the two doses in cattle).

Can I use Bluetongue vaccine at the same time as other vaccines?

Currently there is little information available on the compatibility of Bluetongue vaccines with any other so the safety and efficacy of Bluetongue vaccines when used with any other has not been demonstrated.

In accordance with our usual advice for TB testing, it is not recommended that medicines - including Bluetongue vaccines - should be administered at the time of injection of tuberculin (i.e. your vet's first visit) in order to avoid any risk of interference with the TB test. No problems are expected with using medicines on the day of the reading of the skin test (i.e. your vet's second visit).  Please speak to your private vet for further advice. You now have flexibility to plan ahead when you administer different products to your stock in accordance with your farming calendar.

Why are the vaccination regimes different for each vaccine (i.e. 3 or 4 weeks between cattle doses)?

Different sets of data are submitted by individual companies to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate to support their applications for a provisional marketing authorisation. Speak to your private vet for advice on specific requirements.

Can I use vaccine on pregnant animals?

Although the safety of use off BTV8 vaccine in pregnant or lactating animals has not yet been fully established vaccine has been administered to tens of thousands of pregnant animals throughout 2008. Given the number of animals vaccinated across Europe and the number of suspected adverse reactions the benefits of using the vaccine outweigh any possible risks. 

Care should always be taken to avoid stress in pregnant animals, consult your vet for further advice.

  Does vaccination affect the fertility of bulls?

 There is no evidence from the data assessed prior to issuing a Marketing Authorisation, or field use, that Bluetongue vaccination has any adverse effect on fertility in bulls.

 How much protection is conferred to lambs if the ewes were vaccinated before insemination?

In lambs born to vaccinated ewes it is unclear exactly how long the passive immunity will last. Passive immunity is also unlikely to interfere with vaccination and we would therefore recommend vaccination in lambs (and calves) from a month old

In lambs born to unvaccinated ewes it is advised to vaccinate at the youngest possible age, a booster may be advised at 3 months, consult your vet for further advice.

Does vaccinating animals put them at risk of adverse reactions/ abortions?

The VMD has received a relatively small number of reports of suspected adverse reactions to BTV8 vaccine, particularly taking into account the number of animals vaccinated so far. Adverse reactions attributable to vaccination have been reported in very few animals when compared with vaccine sales of just under 16 million doses. The incidence of suspected adverse reactions is therefore very low and we remain satisfied that the benefits of this vaccine outweigh the risks. These cases have been investigated and there is no evidence that vaccination with the bluetongue vaccine is any different to vaccination with any other vaccine.

A recent report from the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) concludes that the 2008 emergency vaccination programme has shown a good safety record for the vaccines used in EU member states last year and that overall the frequency of adverse drug reactions was very low (<1:10000).

 Do you have to wait one month after giving the Bluetongue vaccine before using any other vaccines?

No trials have been conducted on the use of Bluetongue vaccines with other veterinary medicinal products. The general guidance is that vaccines should be administered 14 days apart, but you should speak to your vet for further advice.

Do you have to wait 6 weeks from Bluetongue vaccination before ewes can be tupped?

The handling of and carrying out of any procedures in pregnant animals has to be managed carefully. The period within 2-3 weeks of service/mating is a particularly sensitive time. It is recommended to consult your private vet.

Can I vaccinate against BTV1?

No. There is currently no BTV1 vaccine licensed for use in the UK. In addition, vaccination is only permitted within the Protection Zone, UK is not a BTV1 protection zone and vaccination would be illegal.

I’m going to wait until there is bivalent vaccine available and then vaccinate for both serotypes at the same time?

Farmers should not wait to vaccinate their animals against BTV-8 in anticipation of a bivalent vaccine against BTV-1 and 8 becoming available. Defra is working closely with manufacturers and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate to get a BTV-1 vaccine licensed, it is likely that bivalent vaccine for both serotypes in the same product will not be available until at least the second half of 2009, and this would still require authorisation before it could be marketed. Delaying vaccination against BTV-8 over the summer when vector activity is highest puts susceptible animals at unnecessary risk of infection.