Foot and mouth disease vaccination - some questions and answers

The questions:

The Answers:

Q Europe has a foot and mouth disease antigen bank. How many doses of vaccine does it hold?

According to the Official Journal of the European Union (EU), the EU Commission has ordered 44 million doses, among which there are 5 million doses of strain O1 Manisa, which was relevant and appropriate for the 2001 outbreak strain.

The European antigen bank is held in three locations: in Italy, in France, and in the United Kingdom. The separate sites assure availability in the event of outbreaks. Each site holds approximately the same number of doses.

Q Do some countries have their own vaccine, as opposed to antigen, banks?

Yes. Several countries have ready-made vaccine including France and Germany but the majority have antigen banks for rapid formulation into vaccine if required. The UK is also a member of an eight nation antigen bank and as a majority holder is able to draw on 500,000 doses of the relevant strain.

Q How long does the manufacturing process take?

When the starting material is the inactivated FMD antigen such as that stored in a bank, the period of time to release is about 5 days subject to special regulatory provisions. The process for manufacturing FMD vaccines from raw materials takes about 10 weeks and this includes all the regulatory testing required before a product can be marketed. We understand there would be additional time needed to package and distribute vaccines.

Q How much does the vaccine cost?

We understand freshly manufactured vaccine to a standard potency specified by the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) has a manufacturing cost of less than around 30-40p per dose. We cannot comment on what the Government may charge and who may pay.

Q What does the vaccination programme consist of?

We are advised that the FMD vaccination programme consists of one injection and a second injection, one month later.

Q What is the duration of immunity offered by the vaccine?

The duration of protection depends on the programme adopted. Immunity is however subject to a number of outside factors such as maternally derived antibodies in the case of animals born to vaccinated dams. Once a vaccination programme has been established, annual vaccination usually confers consistent immunity, subject to regional epidemiology, which may lead to a need for more frequent revaccination.

Q At what age are animals vaccinated? Is there an upper or lower age limit?

The primary course of vaccination is usually administered from 14 days old in the case of animals from non-vaccinated dams, and from 2.5 months old for animals from vaccinated dams.

Q Are all species protected by the same vaccine?

The same vaccine can protect the main livestock species, cattle, pigs, sheep and goats. While we do not promote unapproved uses, the non domesticated species including camels, llamas and other zoo animals, have been reported to respond similarly to the vaccine in relation to the same mechanism of immunity.

Q Are there contraindications for the use of the vaccine?

The vaccine may safely be used in all healthy animals. Pregnant animals should be handled with care. The vaccine will not cure animals infected with FMD.

Q Will vaccination prevent the slaughter of animals?

Slaughter of animals is a matter of government policy at both local and EU level. Currently the position of the EU is that vaccinated livestock must be slaughtered in order to facilitate a return to disease free status and permit the lifting of national and international trade restrictions.

Q Does vaccination work?

Yes. Vaccination offers protection and immunity to the virus strain: FMD vaccine has been used successfully as a key component of the integrated eradication policies employed in Europe and Southern South America in the past.

FMD vaccines are used world wide as a vital part of integrated disease control policy. They have been an indispensable part of several successful eradication programmes. In countries which operate a disease control as opposed to a disease eradication policy, they have been found to be effective.

Q What about the potential for carriers?

Both vaccinated or non-vaccinated cattle and sheep have the potential to become carriers of the virus if they are challenged with virus. There is evidence that effective vaccination can reduce the probability of the development of the carrier state.