Farmers warned of temporary delays in EAE vaccine supply

The delays are expected to last for two to three weeks, which means some farmers will not be able to get hold of the vaccine in time for administering to ewes.

Ceva Animal Health, which manufactures the EAE vaccine, said it understands the gravity of the situation and apologised for any inconvenience caused to sheep farmers. It added the company is working tirelessly to resolve the challenge in line with its primary goal to ensure a stable and sufficient supply of vaccines to its valued customers.

Roy Geary, regional director for Northern Europe at Ceva Animal Health, said the delays have been caused by “unforeseen manufacturing issues” which have temporarily affected the company’s ability to meet demands within the main season for vaccinating against EAE.

“The manufacturing of vaccines is a complex process that involves stringent quality control measures and adherence to regulatory guidelines,” he explained.

“In collaboration with relevant stakeholders, we have implemented comprehensive contingency plans to optimise the manufacturing and distribution process. Our dedicated team is working closely with our partners to resolve the challenges and restore normal supply levels as soon as possible.”

He assured the vaccine challenge is being treated with the utmost urgency and the company is actively exploring alternative options to minimise the impact on customers.

In the interim, Mr Geary urged farmers to talk to their vets about implementing measures for protecting their flocks during this period.

“We recommend implementing robust biosecurity measures and adhering to existing vaccination protocols for other preventable diseases to ensure the overall wellbeing of livestock.

“We will provide vet practices and the wider industry with regular updates as we progress toward a resolution and return to normal supply levels.”