Guidance

General licence for bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccine

General licence for using the inactivated BTV-3 vaccine in England.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Veterinary Medicines Directorate
• Published: 16 September 2024

Applies to England

Documents

General licence for using inactivated bluetongue 3 vaccine in England

Ref: EXD568(BT)(E)

PDF, 102 KB, 3 pages

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Details

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.

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.

Discuss the merits of vaccination for your animals and business with your private veterinarian.

Animal keepers not in a high-risk county should apply for a specific licence (not a general licence), through Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Check if you’re in a high-risk county with the interactive bluetongue virus map.

Veterinarians should read the advisory note before prescribing any BTV-3 vaccine.

Published 16 September 2024