‘Prevention must replace reaction in animal disease management so that the EU can live up to its former ‘prevention is better than cure’ principle,’ states today’s joint press release on the occasion of World Animal Vaccination Day, co-signed by the FVE, Fecava and AnimalhealthEurope. ‘An urgent mindset shift is needed to make animal disease prevention a strategic focus of its animal health policies.’
‘Prevention must lead’
Speaking on behalf of the FVE, President Siegfried Moder commented: ‘A decade after the launch of World Animal Vaccination Day, the message is clear: prevention must lead. Veterinarians play a central role in safeguarding animal, public and environmental health through early action, advising on biosecurity, husbandry conditions and vaccination. Europe has the knowledge and tools to move from crisis-driven responses to a true ‘vaccinate-to-live’ strategy—now we need the political will to make this happen.’
Celebrating protection and the power of veterinary care
Fecava president Ann Criel observed: ‘We often forget how dangerous infectious diseases once were, simply because vaccination works. Yet we are fighting deadly diseases every day, because sometimes vaccines are not available or not used. This World Animal Vaccination Day, we celebrate prevention, protection, and the power of veterinary care within our expertise.’
‘EU must prioritise investment in preventive measures’
AnimalhealthEurope’s Director General Roxane Feller added: ‘The EU must prioritise investment in preventive measures, and ensure harmonised and adequately funded national disease surveillance, control and vaccination strategies. Policies such as the Biotech Act can help foster vaccine innovation and availability, particularly DIVA-compatible vaccines, and acceptance of the status ‘disease-free with vaccination’ can help to encourage vaccination campaigns by reducing trade barriers.’
The full press release can be found here.
The FVE position paper on animal vaccination can be found here.
(photo ©Getty images/Unsplash)