The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has issued a warning to animal keepers regarding the illegal buying, selling, or exchanging of surplus bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccines through social media. Reports of such trading have prompted enforcement officers to remind farmers to obtain these vaccines only through veterinary surgeons and authorized retailers.

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BTV-3 vaccines are classified as prescription-only veterinary medicines, which means they cannot be legally sold, transferred, or supplied to other keepers, regardless of whether the medicine was originally prescribed for them.

The VMD cautioned that once vaccines exit the authorized supply chain, there is no assurance that they have been stored, handled, or transported properly, potentially jeopardizing their quality, safety, and effectiveness.

Animal keepers who need vaccination should consult a veterinarian to determine the suitability of BTV-3 vaccination for their animals. Purchases made online must be sourced from registered retailers authorized to sell prescription-only veterinary medicines, accompanied by a valid veterinary prescription.

Veterinary surgeons are permitted to administer vaccine from a single bottle to animals owned by different keepers under specific storage and usage conditions. The maximum usage period after opening a bottle is 10 hours. However, the VMD emphasizes caution due to bluetongue being a blood-borne disease.

Any surplus vaccine should be returned to a veterinary practice for proper disposal. Keepers are encouraged to report suspected illegal online listings via the VMD’s reporting service, which allows anonymous reports.

Phil Stocker, chief executive of the National Sheep Association (NSA), highlighted the critical nature of reporting bluetongue cases to better track the disease and inform future containment strategies. He noted, "Every report submitted tells us where bluetongue is, how fast it is moving and whether the measures in place are working."

Stocker urged farmers to continue their efforts toward herd immunity and to maintain communication with their vet. He stressed, "Without that information we are working blind, and decisions about control next season will only be as good as the evidence gathered now."

The VMD advises keepers to procure bluetongue vaccines through their veterinary surgeon and adhere to professional guidance regarding their safe and lawful use.