Information about the availability of BTV-3 vaccines for animal keepers and vets.
Welsh Ministers have agreed the three unauthorised BTV-3 vaccines permitted for use in the UK can be licenced for use in Wales.
About the vaccines
Although these vaccines are not authorised, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has assessed them. They consider the vaccines to be of a consistent quality and safety, and efficacy has been demonstrated. Therefore, they meet the administration criteria under Schedule 4 of the Veterinary Medicine Regulations 2013 (VMR 2013).
Where you can use a BTV-3 vaccine
You can use these vaccines in England and Wales, but you must comply with the legal conditions of the general licence.
Important information for vets
In addition to your responsibility to inform the relevant authorities of any adverse effects that you notice, the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) for Wales has published an advisory note for vets. This asks for your cooperation to keep records of the bluetongue vaccine doses that you order, supply and prescribe.
Vets should inform us of all BTV-3 vaccines they prescribe within 7 days of the date prescribed. Email animaldiseases@gov.wales to notify.
The CVO for Wales has requested this record keeping because this is the first time the power to permit an unauthorised vaccine has been used.
Speak to your vet
In the absence of an authorised vaccine, animal keepers should discuss the merits of vaccination for your animals and business with your private vet.
Work with your vet to both:
- determine if BTV-3 vaccination is right for your animals
- decide the right time to vaccinate
Consider the characteristics of the vaccines
Unlike the authorised vaccines for other BTV serotypes, the BTV-3 vaccines claim to reduce viraemia rather than prevent it. This means they may not prevent your animals from being infected or infectious, but (depending on the vaccine) their claims include reduction or prevention of clinical signs experienced and mortality.
Keep a record of your vaccinations
Your vet must prescribe the vaccine, but you, the animal keeper, can administer the vaccine to your animals. You are reminded to use safe practice.
When you use a BTV-3 vaccination you must:
- keep a record of every animal you vaccinate – the information you need to record is on the general licence.
- keep these records for at least 5 years
- provide details including the individual animal IDs and vaccine you use within 48 hours of vaccinating
Moving vaccinated animals
As Wales is a Bluetongue free area, animals vaccinated in Wales are free to move around Great Britain. However, vaccinated animals within a bluetongue zone (for example, restricted zone or temporary control zone) are subject to the same movement controls as unvaccinated animals.