Bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccination
Information on BTV-3 vaccines including permits and licences.
Defra’s Secretary of State has permitted the use of 3 unauthorised bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccines within the United Kingdom, subject to licence.
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).
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 or mortality.
For this reason, all movement controls and trade restrictions still apply to vaccinated animals. You should not test vaccinated animals as part of a pre-movement test in bluetongue zones until 7 days after their vaccination. This will prevent interference with BTV-3 monitoring.
The general licence only allows vaccination in England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have not licensed the use of vaccination for BTV-3, but will keep this position under review.
Discuss the merits of vaccination for your animals and business with your private veterinarian.
Veterinarians should read the advisory note before prescribing any BTV-3 vaccine.
Vaccine licences
The general licence allows keepers to vaccinate their animals in any county in England.
The licence is updated occasionally so make sure to download the latest version.
Visit bluetongue movement licences and designated slaughterhouses for licences related to the movement of animals and germinal products.
Advice for veterinarians
As this is the first time that Defra has used this power, the UK Chief Veterinary Officer asks all veterinarians to record all vaccine use and inform relevant authorities of any adverse effects.
For information on how your data is stored see the exotic, notifiable and reportable diseases privacy notice.
Vaccine permits
These allow manufacturers to import the vaccines.
Summaries of product characteristics (SPCs)
Summaries of product characteristics for bluetongue serotype 3 vaccines in the UK.
Updates to this page
Published 4 September 2024Last updated 18 October 2024 + show all updates
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The general licence for bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) now applies to all counties in England.
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Added information about BTV-3 vaccine licences (which allow keepers to vaccinate their animals), as well as advice to veterinarians.
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Amended second paragraph to clarify the vaccine claims.
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First published.