Use of vaccines in cattle
Read our findings about vaccine use in cattle.
Summary points for cattle vaccines
Vaccine sales
The total number of doses of cattle vaccines sold increased by 25% between 2011 and 2020.Many factors contribute to fluctuations in vaccine sales, including changes in the dose regimes and manufacturing and supply issues. Sales from wholesalers do not necessarily equate to use in that year. However, it is still useful in estimating the likely level of protection in the target group.
https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/vaccine-uptake-report-for-cattle-and-sheep
Table 1. Vaccine uptake in cattle
Vaccine use analysis
The biggest increase in vaccine uptake between 2011 and 2020 was for IBR (76%), calf pneumonia (45%) and calf enteritis (33%). In cattle, pneumonia and scour is responsible for a considerable but unknown proportion of antibiotic use. Given the focus on the responsible use of antibiotics, it is promising that farmers may have prioritised spend on these vaccines.The estimated proportion of cattle vaccinated for Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) has fluctuated in a relatively narrow range between 42% and 45% over the decade from 2011 to 2020. The proportion of breeding cattle vaccinated for Leptospirosis has generally been around 32% over the same time period, although there was a sharp drop in 2019 when there were supply issues.
Pneumonia vaccines
Pneumonia is responsible for a considerable amount of antibiotics in cattle. There are good vaccines available and these should be considered to protect the herd and reduce antibiotic usage.Find out more about pneumonia vaccine use in cattle
Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) vaccines
IBR causes severe respiratory disease that can lead to fatal pneumonia. The virus can infect the upper respiratory tract and/or the reproductive tract. Mortality is low, but economic losses can be important.Read more about Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) vaccines
Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) virus vaccines in cattle
BVD virus is one of the most important viral infections of cattle. The virus infects cattle of all age groups, including the unborn calf.More information on Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) virus vaccines
Leptospirosis vaccines
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the Leptospira genus. It is a common infection in dairy and beef herds and causes infertility, abortion and poor milk yield.Find out more about Leptospirosis vaccines in cattle
Calf enteritis vaccines
Calf enteritis, or calf scour, is a common problem found on most cattle farms in the UK. It can be a major cause of poor growth and calf mortality.Read more information about calf enteritis vaccines
