Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside the USA and Canada) today announced the European launch of Time to Vaccinate, a new program designed to help farmers better appreciate the benefits of vaccinating their cattle. Vaccinations, as part of an overall prevention program, can greatly contribute to the reduction in severity and frequency of infectious diseases, including the need for some medicines, like antibiotics, to treat infections.
“We are excited to introduce Time to Vaccinate, an initiative focused on connecting farmers who want to learn more about a preventive approach to managing their herds with farmers who utilize a vaccination protocol on their farms,” said Klaas Okkinga, marketing director, Global Ruminants Biologicals. “Keeping animals healthy is at the core of everything we do at Merck Animal Health, and making peer-to-peer connections plays a vital role in learning.”
Despite information showing the benefits of vaccination as part of a preventative plan, farmers often wait to vaccinate until clinical disease occurs. The goal of the Time to Vaccinate initiative is to shift farmers’ focus from making animals healthy to keeping them healthy.
Increasing the vaccination rate and therefore the immunity against pathogens calves and adult cattle are generally exposed to, allows improved productivity, general health and animal wellness.
“Vaccines are indispensable tools to prevent potentially dangerous infectious diseases, maintain animal welfare, and optimize production,” explains Dr. Catharina Berge, of Berge Veterinary Consulting, BVBA. ”Today, only about 20 percent of farmers in Europe vaccinate for some of the most common diseases identified on farms. If more did so, we would see an industry that could reach impressive production goals, with strong return on investment and possibly the elimination of diseases.”
The program, which features farmers providing their stories about how they manage disease, will roll out in countries throughout the year. Testimonials, trainings and real time connections will provide a new way of thinking for many farmers, while giving them a chance to learn from peers who understand exactly what it takes to keep herds productive.
Source: Merk Animal health