Written by Iain Hoey
The National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) has launched this year’s #VaccinesWork campaign on World Animal Vaccination Day. The campaign highlights the importance of innovation to produce new vaccines and explains the steps needed to improve the uptake of the vaccines already available to protect UK animals.
A recent survey revealed good awareness of what vaccines do and their benefits, with 79% of participants agreeing that farm animals should be vaccinated regularly, and 69% supporting the use of new technologies for animal vaccinations.
NOAH Chief Executive Dawn Howard said the pandemic has emphasised the importance of vaccination in helping to protect us from disease and to reduce the transmission of infection.
“It has shown how industry can work alongside others to address threats from emerging diseases – it has undoubtedly helped improve public understanding of the importance of vaccination,” she said.
“Our industry can respond to emerging animal diseases, helping slow or even halt their transmission, including through the development of new, innovative vaccines. With the forthcoming review of the UK veterinary regulatory process later this year, we have an opportunity to ensure the UK can incentivise innovation, product research and development, including for novel vaccines.”
She pointed out that whilst we already have access to a wide range of vaccines to tackle existing endemic disease among animal, not every animal is protected. She said that NOAH will be working to help increase the number of animals that are vaccinated to improve their welfare and quality of life.
“As we move into a new phase of the pandemic, it is right that animal vaccination should be a priority in the UK and globally. Because after all, #VaccinesWork,” she added.
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