World Animal Vaccination Day – 20 April

Joint statement from AnimalhealthEurope, FVE and FECAVA

Infectious disease knows no borders. Animal disease outbreaks can be unpredictable, and consequences are far-ranging. Veterinarians and the animal health industry are united in their view that the EU needs to be more proactive in their approach to animal vaccination in the face of the latest disease outbreaks and for some – their potential for spillover to other species.

With today’s globalised trade, travel and changes in climate, animal disease outbreaks are increasing in Europe, and it is essential that preventive action be taken. One such preventive means is vaccination of animals, far too often an afterthought from authorities who, in the case of notifiable diseases, rely on measures such as stricter biosecurity controls, setting protection zones, and animal culling. But some EU countries are starting to question the appropriateness of focusing solely on current approaches, with requests for increased budget to address animal disease outbreaks and a call for a ‘vaccination strategy’.

FVE President, Siegfried Moder, speaking on behalf of the Federation of Veterinarians in Europe commented:
“Animal Diseases have a devastating ripple effect! Vaccines are an essential part of the veterinary toolbox. They are increasingly vital in veterinary medicine to prevent and manage diseases. We need equal access to available vaccines across the single market.”

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. 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.”

Also commenting on the awareness day, Roxane Feller, AnimalhealthEurope Secretary General, said:
“Transboundary and emerging animal diseases have been increasing in occurrence over the past decades. Diseases which were once only reported outside of Europe’s borders are now more frequently occurring on European soil. Europe needs a fundamental shift from a “firefighting” approach to a “fire prevention” approach to avoid potential spillovers and disastrous consequences for European agriculture, public health, and the wider economy.”

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 which this year runs from 27 April – 3 May 2025.
• 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. FVE represents through its members 330 000 veterinarians.