Vaccine Uptake Trends in Cattle and Sheep
Understanding vaccination patterns to improve herd health and reduce antibiotic reliance
Key ResourcesOverview of Vaccine Uptake Trends
Recent livestock health data highlight important trends in the uptake of vaccines in cattle and sheep populations. Vaccination remains one of the most effective tools for preventing infectious disease in livestock, protecting animal welfare, reducing production losses, and lowering the need for therapeutic antibiotic use.
Understanding how vaccines are used, where uptake is increasing, and where gaps remain helps veterinarians and farmers strengthen herd health planning and improve outcomes across production systems.
Vaccination is a cornerstone of preventive health management that directly contributes to animal welfare, productivity, and responsible antibiotic use across livestock systems.
Cattle Vaccine Uptake
Growing Adoption Across the Industry
In cattle, vaccine uptake has shown significant growth over the past decade. According to recent reports, the number of vaccine doses sold for cattle has risen markedly between 2011 and 2024, driven largely by increased use of vaccines targeting respiratory diseases such as Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis.
88% Increase
IBR vaccination uptake from 2011 to 2024
Respiratory Focus
Beef and dairy producers prioritizing respiratory disease prevention
Veterinary Guidance
Producers responding to veterinary recommendations for core preventive measures
During this period, estimated uptake for IBR vaccination increased by approximately 88 percent, reflecting demand from beef and dairy producers aiming to reduce the incidence of respiratory disease. The overall trend suggests that producers are responding to veterinary recommendations to prioritise vaccination as a core preventive measure.
Even with these gains, not all farmers are consistently vaccinating. In some regions, surveys show that a large share of cattle keepers have not vaccinated their herds for major epizootic diseases, such as bluetongue and haemorrhagic diseases, despite veterinary encouragement. These findings underline the need for ongoing outreach and education on the benefits of staying up to date with available vaccines.
Sheep Vaccine Uptake
Varied Patterns Across Disease Targets
Sheep vaccine use also reflects both long-term trends and recent fluctuations in coverage for key diseases. Data from the UK show that tens of millions of sheep vaccine doses were sold in 2024, with varying uptake for different disease targets.
Footrot Vaccination
53% increase since 2012 as producers adopt this vaccine to prevent painful foot disease
Toxoplasmosis
2% rise in vaccination uptake between 2012 and 2024
Declining Coverage
Some vaccines such as clostridial and pasteurellosis products have declined in recent years
Footrot vaccination, for example, has shown a substantial rise of more than 50 percent since 2012, suggesting that many producers are adopting this vaccine to prevent painful foot disease and improve flock performance. Toxoplasmosis vaccination also rose modestly in the same period. However, use of some other vaccines such as clostridial and pasteurellosis products has declined in recent years, indicating uneven uptake across disease areas. These patterns are influenced by vaccine availability, disease prevalence, and producer awareness.
Drivers of Vaccine Uptake
Key Factors Influencing Adoption
Increased vaccine uptake in livestock reflects several key drivers. Greater access to veterinary advice and preventive herd health planning helps farmers assess disease risk and make informed decisions about vaccination schedules. Vaccination reduces the frequency and severity of disease outbreaks, which in turn lowers the need for antibiotic treatments and improves overall flock or herd performance.
Veterinary Partnership
Improved access to veterinary advice and herd health planning
Antibiotic Reduction
Vaccines reduce disease incidence and lower antibiotic requirements
Government Support
Outreach programs during disease outbreaks to boost coverage
In times of heightened disease risk — such as outbreaks of bluetongue or other epizootic diseases — governments and industry bodies may also support vaccine availability and outreach to boost coverage. These combined efforts contribute to the trend toward greater preventive health management in cattle and sheep production.
Challenges in Vaccine Coverage
Gaps and Opportunities
Despite the progress in some areas, challenges remain. Uneven vaccine uptake across regions and disease targets shows that more work is needed to educate and support producers. Lack of national vaccination observatories in some countries makes it difficult to track coverage comprehensively, and vaccine supply issues can limit availability of certain products.
Reliable supply chains and strong veterinarian–farmer communication are essential to maintaining and increasing vaccine use where it can have significant preventive impact. Ongoing monitoring of vaccine uptake and disease trends helps ensure that producers can prioritise the most effective vaccines for their operation.
These challenges present opportunities for improved industry collaboration, better data collection systems, and targeted educational programs to address specific knowledge gaps among producers. Investment in veterinary infrastructure and accessible diagnostic services can further support informed vaccination decisions at the farm level.
Vaccination and Antibiotic Reduction
Preventing Disease, Reducing Medicines
Vaccination plays an important role in reducing the incidence of disease that would otherwise require antibiotic treatment. By preventing bacterial and viral infections, vaccines help maintain animal health without reliance on antibiotics. This is especially valuable in intensive production systems where disease pressure can be high.
Disease Prevention
Vaccines prevent infections before they require antibiotic intervention
Integrated Approach
Vaccination works best as part of comprehensive health plans
Production Benefits
Healthier animals show improved growth rates and reduced mortality
Well-designed vaccination programs are a key component of integrated health plans that combine biosecurity, nutrition, and environmental management to protect livestock and reduce production losses. This holistic approach supports both animal welfare and sustainable production practices.
Key Resources
Vaccine Uptake Report
Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board report on vaccine uptake trends 2011–2024
View ReportVaccine Uptake Trends in Cattle and Sheep
Understanding vaccination patterns to improve herd health and reduce antibiotic reliance
Key ResourcesOverview of Vaccine Uptake Trends
Recent livestock health data highlight important trends in the uptake of vaccines in cattle and sheep populations. Vaccination remains one of the most effective tools for preventing infectious disease in livestock, protecting animal welfare, reducing production losses, and lowering the need for therapeutic antibiotic use.
Understanding how vaccines are used, where uptake is increasing, and where gaps remain helps veterinarians and farmers strengthen herd health planning and improve outcomes across production systems.
Vaccination is a cornerstone of preventive health management that directly contributes to animal welfare, productivity, and responsible antibiotic use across livestock systems.
Cattle Vaccine Uptake
Growing Adoption Across the Industry
In cattle, vaccine uptake has shown significant growth over the past decade. According to recent reports, the number of vaccine doses sold for cattle has risen markedly between 2011 and 2024, driven largely by increased use of vaccines targeting respiratory diseases such as Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis.
88% Increase
IBR vaccination uptake from 2011 to 2024
Respiratory Focus
Beef and dairy producers prioritizing respiratory disease prevention
Veterinary Guidance
Producers responding to veterinary recommendations for core preventive measures
During this period, estimated uptake for IBR vaccination increased by approximately 88 percent, reflecting demand from beef and dairy producers aiming to reduce the incidence of respiratory disease. The overall trend suggests that producers are responding to veterinary recommendations to prioritise vaccination as a core preventive measure.
Even with these gains, not all farmers are consistently vaccinating. In some regions, surveys show that a large share of cattle keepers have not vaccinated their herds for major epizootic diseases, such as bluetongue and haemorrhagic diseases, despite veterinary encouragement. These findings underline the need for ongoing outreach and education on the benefits of staying up to date with available vaccines.
Sheep Vaccine Uptake
Varied Patterns Across Disease Targets
Sheep vaccine use also reflects both long-term trends and recent fluctuations in coverage for key diseases. Data from the UK show that tens of millions of sheep vaccine doses were sold in 2024, with varying uptake for different disease targets.
Footrot Vaccination
53% increase since 2012 as producers adopt this vaccine to prevent painful foot disease
Toxoplasmosis
2% rise in vaccination uptake between 2012 and 2024
Declining Coverage
Some vaccines such as clostridial and pasteurellosis products have declined in recent years
Footrot vaccination, for example, has shown a substantial rise of more than 50 percent since 2012, suggesting that many producers are adopting this vaccine to prevent painful foot disease and improve flock performance. Toxoplasmosis vaccination also rose modestly in the same period. However, use of some other vaccines such as clostridial and pasteurellosis products has declined in recent years, indicating uneven uptake across disease areas. These patterns are influenced by vaccine availability, disease prevalence, and producer awareness.
Drivers of Vaccine Uptake
Key Factors Influencing Adoption
Increased vaccine uptake in livestock reflects several key drivers. Greater access to veterinary advice and preventive herd health planning helps farmers assess disease risk and make informed decisions about vaccination schedules. Vaccination reduces the frequency and severity of disease outbreaks, which in turn lowers the need for antibiotic treatments and improves overall flock or herd performance.
Veterinary Partnership
Improved access to veterinary advice and herd health planning
Antibiotic Reduction
Vaccines reduce disease incidence and lower antibiotic requirements
Government Support
Outreach programs during disease outbreaks to boost coverage
In times of heightened disease risk — such as outbreaks of bluetongue or other epizootic diseases — governments and industry bodies may also support vaccine availability and outreach to boost coverage. These combined efforts contribute to the trend toward greater preventive health management in cattle and sheep production.
Challenges in Vaccine Coverage
Gaps and Opportunities
Despite the progress in some areas, challenges remain. Uneven vaccine uptake across regions and disease targets shows that more work is needed to educate and support producers. Lack of national vaccination observatories in some countries makes it difficult to track coverage comprehensively, and vaccine supply issues can limit availability of certain products.
Reliable supply chains and strong veterinarian–farmer communication are essential to maintaining and increasing vaccine use where it can have significant preventive impact. Ongoing monitoring of vaccine uptake and disease trends helps ensure that producers can prioritise the most effective vaccines for their operation.
These challenges present opportunities for improved industry collaboration, better data collection systems, and targeted educational programs to address specific knowledge gaps among producers. Investment in veterinary infrastructure and accessible diagnostic services can further support informed vaccination decisions at the farm level.
Vaccination and Antibiotic Reduction
Preventing Disease, Reducing Medicines
Vaccination plays an important role in reducing the incidence of disease that would otherwise require antibiotic treatment. By preventing bacterial and viral infections, vaccines help maintain animal health without reliance on antibiotics. This is especially valuable in intensive production systems where disease pressure can be high.
Disease Prevention
Vaccines prevent infections before they require antibiotic intervention
Integrated Approach
Vaccination works best as part of comprehensive health plans
Production Benefits
Healthier animals show improved growth rates and reduced mortality
Well-designed vaccination programs are a key component of integrated health plans that combine biosecurity, nutrition, and environmental management to protect livestock and reduce production losses. This holistic approach supports both animal welfare and sustainable production practices.
Key Resources
Vaccine Uptake Report
Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board report on vaccine uptake trends 2011–2024
View Report