World Animal Vaccination Day – 20 April
Joint statement from AnimalhealthEurope, FECAVA, and FVE

The benefits of vaccines have long been understood by generations of parents who’ve protected the health of their children. Similarly, for farmers, veterinarians and pet owners, vaccines provide essential protection against illness in both farm and companion animals.

World Animal Vaccination Day is our occasion to come together and remind everyone that vaccines are foundational to any animal health plan or programme. Disease prevention through vaccination helps ensure that animals do not have to suffer unnecessarily, and that farmers do not have to cull herds to control and/or stamp out preventable disease. Vaccinating animals can also slow further spread and prevent disease transmission between species.

Commenting on the awareness day, Roxane Feller, AnimalhealthEurope Secretary General, said:

“Treating sick animals is just one part of the animal health story. While treatments will always be essential, veterinarians and the animal health industry together focus increasingly on disease prevention, early detection, and keeping animals healthy. Preventive care is a good basis for both improved animal welfare and more efficient and sustainable farming practices.”

Speaking for the companion animal veterinary federation in Europe, FECAVA President Danny Holmes added:

“World Animal Vaccination Day has become an important annual reminder of one of the most important acts veterinarians perform. Our pet parents need us to push the message of vaccination as a method of disease control to keep both their pets and families healthy. Non-factual social media posts and other fake news is widely blamed for falling human vaccination rates, so celebrating protecting our patients has never been more important.”

FVE President, Siegfried Moder, speaking on behalf of the federation of veterinarians in Europe concluded:

“Vaccination of animals safeguards not just their health, but also that of people and our communities. From the eradication of rinderpest to the control of rabies and now avian influenza, through vaccination, we have not only saved countless lives but also fortified our defences against future threats. Let us continue to champion the value of vaccination, for it is through this simple yet powerful act that we ensure a safer and healthier world for all.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

• World Animal Vaccination Day – 20 April – is an initiative of HealthforAnimals and the World Veterinary Association, occurring annually ahead of European Immunisation Week.
• AnimalhealthEurope represents 12 of Europe’s leading manufacturers of animal health products and 16 national associations, representing large, medium-sized and small companies.
• FECAVA – Federation of Companion Animal Veterinary Associations represents more than 25,000 companion animal veterinarians in 40 European countries.
• FVE – Federation of Veterinarians of Europe is an umbrella organisation of veterinary organisations from 38 European countries.