Animal vaccination a priority post-pandemic, says NOAH, because #VaccinesWork
Today is World Animal Vaccination Day so NOAH has chosen today to launch this year’s #VaccinesWork campaign. A recent survey shows people know vaccination is good for animal health and that having healthy animals benefits us and our environment.
Our campaign will highlight the importance of innovation to produce new vaccines. Equally, it will explain how we need to work together to improve the uptake of the vaccines already available to protect UK animals.
The survey found very good awareness of what vaccines do and their benefits. People agreed that they should be used regularly in our pets and farm animals, with 79% agreeing farm animals should be vaccinated regularly. For pets this was even higher at 81%.
Importantly, 69% supported the use of new technologies for animal vaccinations, paving the way to innovation, research and development, to protect the health of UK animals.
NOAH Chief Executive Dawn Howard said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a spotlight on the importance of vaccination in helping to protect us from disease and to reduce the transmission of infection. It has shown how industry can work alongside others to address threats from emerging diseases – it has undoubtedly helped improve public understanding of the importance of vaccination.
“Our industry can respond to emerging animal diseases, helping slow or even halt their transmission, including through the development of new, innovative vaccines. With the forthcoming review of the UK veterinary regulatory process later this year, we have an opportunity to ensure the UK can incentivise innovation, product research and development, including for novel vaccines.
“But we already have access to a wide range of vaccines to tackle existing endemic diseases, for both farm animals and pets. Vaccines have already changed the face of disease prevention like no other discovery. Despite people’s awareness of benefits, not every animal is protected, and we will be working to help increase the number of animals that are, to improve their welfare and quality of life.
“As we move into a new phase of the pandemic, it is right that animal vaccination should be a priority in the UK and globally. Because after all, #VaccinesWork,” she said.
