UK sheep farmers urged to plan bluetongue vaccinations early amid supply improvements

Farmers are advised to signal their bluetongue vaccination plans early to avoid supply bottlenecks and ensure timely protection as infection pressure rises across eastern England.

Sheep farmers are being urged to signal their bluetongue vaccination plans early, as officials and vets try to avoid bottlenecks in supply and ensure doses are in the right places when infection pressure rises.

The request comes against the backdrop of a wider UK response to bluetongue serotype 3, which the government moved to contain in September 2024 by widening and merging restricted zones across parts of eastern England, from East Riding to Kent. Bluetongue is spread by midges and can cause fever, lower milk output, reproductive losses and, in severe cases, death.

Livestock keepers now have several authorised vaccine options. Government guidance says three BTV-3 vaccines are licensed for use in the UK, and vaccination decisions should be taken with a vet. Record-keeping and notification are mandatory.

Supply has started to improve. Ceva Animal Health said its BLUEVAC-3 vaccine would be available from mid-October 2024, while Virbac said doses of Syvazul BTV3 had already arrived in the UK. Industry reports also said Boehringer Ingelheim’s Bultavo 3 was among the first products delivered.