Guidance

Bluetongue: general licence for vaccination against the disease

General licence to allow farmers to vaccinate their animals against bluetongue virus serotypes 1, 2, 4 and 8.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency
• Published: 23 August 2012
• Last updated: 26 September 2024 — See all updates

Documents

General licence for using inactivated vaccine in a bluetongue-free area

Ref: EXD568(BT)E

PDF, 114 KB, 3 pages

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Report your use of vaccinations for serotypes 1, 2, 4 and 8

https://forms.office.com/e/Yfzsi0EKmT

Details

This general licence allows farmers to vaccinate their animals against bluetongue virus in areas that are outside a restricted zone for bluetongue.

Reporting your use of vaccinations for serotypes 1, 2, 4 and 8

You must report your use of the bluetongue vaccinations as a condition of this licence.  

Complete the vaccine reporting form within 48 hours of the date of vaccination. 

This will meet your legal requirement under condition 3 of the general licence.

Types of vaccine

You can use this licence to vaccinate animals against bluetongue virus serotypes 1, 2, 4 and 8. 

Visit the Bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccination page for licences and permits to vaccinate against BTV-3.

Bluetongue vaccines are specific to the serotype of the virus. They do not protect against other serotypes.  

You should consult your vet if you are considering vaccinating your animals. You can also take other steps to prevent bluetongue and stop it spreading.

Read more about bluetongue vaccines in the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) Product Information Database: search for ‘Bluetongue virus’ in the ‘Active Substance’ field. 

Getting your animals vaccinated

Bluetongue virus can be transmitted through contaminated needles. Animal keepers and vets should follow good practice when treating and vaccinating animals.   

It can take up to 6 weeks for your animals to be fully immune following vaccination. They may need 2 doses of the vaccine 3 weeks apart.   

Importing vaccines

Vets can apply to the VMD for a Special Import Certificate (SIC).   

The certificate allows keepers to import a safe and effective bluetongue vaccine directly to vaccinate their stock.

Published 23 August 2012
Last updated 26 September 2024 + show all updates

1. 26 September 2024

   You must report your vaccine activity. Information and a reporting form for this task has been added to the page.

2. 16 September 2024

   Animal keepers can now vaccinate against BTV-3, but must comply with a different licence. Note added to page along with a link to more information.

3. 23 August 2012

   First published.