EAE vaccine supply issues set to continue
“As a responsible provider, we are actively addressing these issues to minimise the impact on customers” – Roy Geary.
The Cevac Chlamydia vaccine for enzootic abortion of ewes (EAE) will not be available in September as anticipated, Ceva Animal Health has announced.
The delay to the delivery of the vaccine follows a gap in supply between June and August caused by a batch being out of specification. Ceva Animal Health submitted an Out of Specification request for the vaccine to be released, but the request was not successful.
The next batch may be available in October, but the manufacture has said there is no certainty that it will be.
Last year also saw supply issues with the vaccine, which were blamed on delays in the manufacturing and distribution process.
EAE is one of the most common infectious causes of abortion in ewes. It is estimated to cost the UK sheep industry up to £20 million a year.
Ceva Animal Health has said that it deeply regrets any inconvenience caused to sheep farmers.
Roy Geary, vice-president for Northern Europe (including the UK) at Ceva Animal Health, said: “The manufacturing of vaccines is a complex process that involves stringent quality control measures and adherence to regulatory guidelines.
“There have been unforeseen manufacturing issues at our production facilities, which have 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.”
Ceva Animal Health is recommending that veterinary surgeons and farmers follow advice issued by the Sheep Veterinary Society and Sheep Antibiotic Guardian Group which can accessed here.
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Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
