Vaccine banks

Australian foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine bank

FMD is a highly contagious disease that affects all cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, camelids, deer and pigs. An outbreak in Australia would have serious impacts on Australia’s livestock industries, trade, and the wider economy.

Vaccination is a key part of Australia’s FMD preparedness. It is supported by the Government and Livestock Industry Policy Forum (2001) and included in AUSVETPLAN as an important tool to support the eradication of FMD in Australia during an outbreak. Vaccination help protects animals against clinical disease and reduces the spread of the virus in the environment.

How the FMD vaccine bank works

Australia maintains an offshore antigen bank for FMD.

• The bank stores antigens that can be used to manufacture vaccines if needed.
• Antigen stocks are currently held at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health (previously Merial) in France.
• Vaccines can be produced rapidly once the bank is activated.

The types and quantities of antigens are based on risk assessments that consider potential disease strains and outbreak scenarios relevant to Australia. These are reviewed regularly to ensure Australia’s vaccine bank remains fit for purpose.  

Management and advice

AHA manages the vaccine bank in partnership with a vaccine manufacturer, selected through a competitive procurement process. The arrangements are reviewed every five years and are regularly tested using exercises.

AHA is supported by:

• a committee of government and industry funding partners
• a technical expert from CSIRO’s Australia Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP)
• an expert advisory group that monitors global FMD strains and recommends priority antigens.

Funding

The FMD Vaccine Bank is jointly funded by:

• the Australian Government
• all state and territory governments
• relevant livestock industries represented by:
  • Australian Dairy Farmers
  • Australian Lot Feeders’ Association
  • Australian Pork Limited
  • Cattle Australia
  • Goat Industry Council of Australia.
  • Sheep Producers Australia
  • WoolProducers Australia

Anthrax vaccine bank

Anthrax is an infectious bacterial disease that affects many species including cattle, sheep, goats and humans. Anthrax is uncommon in Australia but can occur sporadically, particularly along the ‘anthrax belt’, which stretches from northern Victoria through western New South Wales and into southern Queensland.

The anthrax vaccine bank provides a reliable, ready supply of anthrax vaccine for use in an emergency, supporting Australia’s ability to respond to a medium to large-scale anthrax outbreak.

How the anthrax vaccine bank works

Australia maintains a domestic stockpile of anthrax vaccine.

• The vaccine bank was first established in 2007.
• The current agreement is with Virbac (Australia) Pty Ltd, who support the supply, storage and delivery of vaccine.
• The bank is held in Australia, and vaccine can be made available at very short notice during an outbreak.

Funding

The anthrax vaccine bank is jointly funded by:

• the Australian Government
• all state and territory governments,
• relevant livestock industries, represented by:
  • Australian Dairy Farmers
  • Australian Lot Feeders’ Association
  • Cattle Australia
  • Goat Industry Council of Australia.
  • Sheep Producers Australia
  • WoolProducers Australia