Page 24 - Eclipse - Autumn/Winter 2022

RVC research reveals the extent of

suboptimal vaccination practice in sheep

RVC research has revealed a large extent of suboptimal vaccination practice
in the UK sheep sector and the impact of the lack of awareness of training for
farmers. The project also identified the barriers farmers face accessing training.

he research offers valuable Animal Science), set out to raise The study also considered the
information for the industry awareness of this important issue. In barriers to training and identified
to help guide education of doing so, they conducted an online survey these to be: Time (45.6%), money
Tvaccination technique. This which was distributed to sheep farmers, (35.8%), not being aware training
will ultimately improve technique and asking about their vaccination technique courses existed (34.8%), feeling they
storage, enhancing vaccination efficacy, and storage. already knew how to vaccinate safely
animal welfare and reduce disease. From the 370 respondents, the and effectively (40.7%). Additionally,
It could also help prevent wastage survey found that only 26.1% 73.9% of respondents were unaware
of valuable cuts of meat, improve of participants identified the of any training courses they could
sustainability and increase profit correct location for subcutaneous, attend, highlighting the need for
margins for farmers. advertising and promoting training
38.0% for intradermal and 7.7%
Vaccines are commonly used in sheep for intramuscular vaccination within the industry.
farming to protect flocks from a variety administration. The study calls for more consistent
of diseases, but the prevalence of The study also revealed that just messages on vaccination technique
suboptimal technique is widely unknown 45.5% of respondents stored and streamlining of training within
in the industry, which can result in less vaccines in a fridge specific to the industry. It also highlights a need
effective vaccinations and potential veterinary medicines, 33.9% used for more options for vaccination
harm to animal welfare, including a temperature logger and 6.4% training to be clearly available to
injection site lesions. farmers. In addition, it highlights
undertook daily fridge temperature
The RVC team, led by Lauren Hall, a checks. In addition, 45.5% of the opportunities that vets have
newly qualified veterinarian, alongside respondents kept vaccines 48 hours to support the improvement of
Beth Reilly (Teaching Fellow in Clinical or longer after first use and 11.1% vaccination techniques and storage
Farm Animal Management) and Dr Nicola kept them until the next time they through training farmers and even
Blackie (Senior Lecturer in Production planned to vaccinate. the potential for interprofessional
collaboration to bridge this
knowledge gap.

Intradermal injection

Intramuscular injection

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