Preparing for floods: Vaccine shortage puts livestock at risk

FAISALABAD: The planned vaccination of 20 million cattle in the province ahead of the monsoon season, has been hampered by a shortage of vaccines, an officer of the Livestock Department, requesting anonymity, told The Express Tribune on Saturday.

There is a severe shortage of vaccines for inoculation against foot-and-mouth (FAM) disease, he said. The stocks are only enough for 300,000 animals, he said. Faisalabad district was given a target to inoculate at least 664,000 animals but only 3,000 could be vaccinated, he said.

“The government vaccinates animals for free but farmers can procure vaccine on the black market for as much Rs900 per packet which is enough for two animals, however most farmers cannot afford it,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2013.