The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has reported instances of animal keepers buying, selling, and exchanging BTV-3 vaccines via social media. Such transactions pose significant risks to animal health because once a vaccine leaves the authorized supply chain, there is no guarantee it has been stored, handled, or transported correctly, potentially impacting its quality, safety, and effectiveness.

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BTV-3 vaccines are categorized as prescription-only veterinary medicines and are subject to strict legal controls. Animal owners cannot legally transfer a veterinary medicine to another owner, regardless of whether it was prescribed by a veterinarian.

While many animal keepers are proactively vaccinating against BTV-3, the VMD emphasizes the importance of obtaining vaccines from safe and legal sources. To access these vaccines, animal keepers should consult their veterinarian about the suitability of BTV-3 vaccination for their animals.

When purchasing vaccines online, it is essential to have a valid prescription and to buy only from registered online retailers approved to sell prescription-only veterinary medicines. The VMD maintains a register which can be checked to confirm if a website is authorized to sell animal medicines.

Concerns have also arisen regarding the practice of splitting vaccine bottles. Veterinary surgeons may administer BTV-3 vaccine from a single bottle to multiple owners, provided the bottle is stored correctly and used within the broach period of 10 hours as per the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). However, due to biosecurity issues—especially since BTV-3 is a blood-borne disease—caution is advised in such situations, and the decision rests with the prescribing veterinarian.

Veterinary surgeons can also decant prescribed vaccine quantities for animal keepers, but this must occur within the approved broach period, with appropriate labeling and documentation for safe use. Animal keepers are prohibited from passing on or selling vaccine; doing so is unlawful and undermines safeguards protecting animal health and trust in veterinary medicines.

The VMD also warns that practices like opening or decanting vaccines can increase the risks of product degradation and compromise vaccine quality, safety, and efficacy. As BTV-3 is blood-borne, biosecurity considerations are paramount when using a vaccine intended for multiple holdings.

Animal keepers are encouraged to obtain bluetongue vaccines through their veterinarians and to follow professional guidance on their safe and legal use.

For animal keepers with leftover vaccines, it is recommended to return them to their veterinary practice for proper disposal.

The VMD urges reporting any suspected illegal online sales of BTV-3 vaccines through its online reporting tool or by phone at 01932 338 338, with options for anonymous reporting available.

Further details on BTV-3 vaccination guidelines and veterinarian advice can be found on the BTV-3 vaccination page.