Plan, prevent, protect: optimal sheep vaccination

Abstract

Vaccination is an integral part of progressive preventative flock health management. It sits within a toolbox of measures, which include good biosecurity and nutrition, to effectively prevent or control disease on farm. The decision to vaccinate sheep is primarily motivated by animal welfare and the wish to optimise health by giving sheep the best chance to be free from avoidable disease. The NOAH vaccination guideline introduces the concept of two categories of vaccination to support flock health planning. Category one vaccines are considered ‘core’ vaccinations that should be thought of as the foundation of a standard vaccination programme and category two vaccinations are against diseases for which the level of threat to flock health and welfare will vary on an individual farm basis.