Ceva Animal Health has said there will be a gap in the supply of enzootic abortion of ewes (EAE) vaccines from June until August due to a “batch failure” in the manufacturing process.
The animal health company, which manufactures the EAE vaccines, said it understands the significance of vaccinations in maintaining the health and welfare of livestock.
Ceva said it “deeply regrets” any inconvenience caused to its sheep farmers during this period and is “working tirelessly” to resolve the issue.
Ceva regional director for northern Europe, Roy Geary, said: “The manufacturing of vaccines is a complex process that involves stringent quality control measures and adherence to regulatory guidelines.
“Unfortunately, the anticipated vaccine batch has failed to meet the quality expected to be suitable for release, which has temporarily affected the ability to meet the demands of the UK sheep market within the main seasonal vaccination period for EAE.
“As a responsible provider, we are actively addressing these issues to minimise the impact on customers.”
Vaccine challenge
Geary said Ceva has implemented comprehensive contingency plans to optimise the manufacturing and distribution process in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
“Our dedicated team is working closely with our partners to resolve the challenges and restore normal supply levels as soon as possible,” he said.
“The vaccine challenge is being treated with the utmost urgency, and we are actively exploring alternative options to speed up the supply chain for future batches of the vaccine.
“We anticipate that the issue in supply will be resolved, with some stock potentially available later in the season, however we recognise that for some farmers the supply will arrive too late for them to use.”
Geary said Ceva encourages all farmers to consult their vet to explore alternative means of safeguarding the health of 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,” he said.
“We will provide vet practices and the wider industry with regular updates as we progress toward a resolution and return to normal supply levels.”
