CALIFORNIA FMD VACCINATION PLANNING

CALIFORNIA FMD VACCINATION PLANNING
L. Quiroz1, P. Hullinger2

1 Emergency Preparedness and Response Section, Animal Health Branch – AHFSS, California Department of Food and Agriculture.
2 The European Commission for the Control of Foot-and -Mouth-Disease, Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome, Italy.

Introduction
The goal of an emergency FMD vaccination campaign is to suppress virus replication in high-risk susceptible animals by rapidly vaccinating a high proportion (≥85%) of the at-risk population. The selected vaccination strategy will dictate the disposition of vaccinated animals, which may be euthanasia/disposal, slaughter for consumption, or living out useful lives, or any combination of these. Preparing for such a vaccination campaign, through developing a response/implementation plan and procedures, is essential.
Materials and methods
The California FMD Vaccination Plan involves a multi-disciplinary group with the appropriate authority and FAD response expertise. This group will consider outbreak characteristics and advise the State Animal Health Official as to whether emergency vaccination is warranted.
Results
According to the current plan, California will receive, sort, store, maintain cold chain, distribute vaccine and maintain appropriate animal ID, tracking and documentation associated with the vaccination campaign. The location of the state vaccine warehouse will be as close as practical to where the vaccine is to be deployed, but outside control areas. Vaccine storage and handling requirements are stipulated in the state’s FMD Vaccination Plan and the National Veterinary Stockpile Plan.
Discussion
To effectively implement a responsive FMD vaccination plan in a timely manner requires significant preplanning. Other elements requiring further planning and standardization include animal identification standards and requirements for tracking vaccinated animals/movement permits, tracking required for animal products derived from vaccinates, standards for employing third part logistics companies to support vaccine handling and distribution, and prioritizing amongst animal populations when vaccine is scarce.

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