NSA warns of vaccine shortages impacting UK sheep flock

The National Sheep Association (NSA) has called on government and the wider industry to ensure a reliable supply of vaccines for UK sheep farmers.

Disruptions to supplies in recent years has limited the availability of several major vaccines that are crucial in protecting the health of the UK sheep flock, according to the NSA.

The association has written to Defra, the Animal and Plant Health Agency, the Veterinary Medicines Directive and vaccine manufacturers asking for improved collaboration to ensure a more resilient supply chain.

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Phil Stocker, NSA chief executive, said: “We know that improved health leads to reduction in waste, productivity gains, and lower carbon footprints, as well as more responsible use of antibiotics.

“However, as vaccine availability has become a serious issue it is negatively impacting the health and welfare of animals, at the time when we need vaccines most.”

Mr Stocker said that 63% of the national sheep flock was vaccinated against clostridial diseases and 51% against pasteurellosis in 2021, but it is becoming much harder for farmers to get hold of these vaccines.

“Vaccines protecting against diseases such as toxoplasmosis, enzootic abortion, foot rot, and orf are also in short supply, all of which protect against often catastrophic consequences for individual animals,” he added.