Longford Farming: Department intervention needed to secure adequate Lepto vaccine supply

IFA Animal Health Chair TJ Maher said the news that MSD have ceased production of Leptavoid-H, a widely used vaccine used on cattle for Leptospirosis is a major concern to Irish farmers who are now left scrambling to secure an alternative lepto vaccine.

“This will create a serious issue for farmers who are due to administer a lepto vaccine to their herd in the coming months,” TJ Maher said.

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“Reports from our members indicate that there are little alternatives currently available with one of the key alternative vaccines not available until September. This could mean that a lot of cattle herds will lose protection from Leptospirosis if they miss their annual booster shot,” he said.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that often leads to reduced milk production, decreased fertility and abortions in cows.

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It is also a zoonotic disease meaning that humans can potentially pick up the disease from infected animals, which further increases the potential implications of this vaccine shortage.

The IFA Animal Health Chair outlined that the availability of vaccines when needed is critical for farmers in protecting and maintaining the health, welfare and productivity of our animals while reducing antibiotic usage.