Vaccination For All In Buffer

Following the concerns of quite a few ‘bloggers’ regarding the apparent discrimination of vaccination in the Buffer Zones, Horse Deals called the NSW DPI. We were assured that all horses in the buffer were to be vaccinated on a geographical basis and not on the ‘relative’ importance of the horse. The NSW DPI stressed the necessity of all horses owners in the Buffer to register their horses with the DPI so that the vaccination teams could workout their strategy. “The only way anyone would have been missed is because they would not have been registered”.

We enquired about the vaccination of racehorses in other than the buffer zone and were told that was something we should discuss with NSW Racing. We asked why, as they were horses and under the control of the DPI? The reply; “anyone with a horse that they feel should be vaccinated can apply to the DPI”. The spokesperson was very keen to get off the telephone at that point, and perhaps it is fair to say that the different treatment being metered out to the Thoroughbred industry is beyond the control of the Department of Primary Industry. How much the seemingly preferential treatment will affect or delay the eventual eradication/control of EI is a matter for debate.

In the Biosecurity Victoria “Vaccination Strategies For Equine Influenza” it talks about “Vaccination of Selected Subpopulations” in which it states; “technically speaking this approach has much to recommend it. However, acceptance of this approach within the horse industry is doubtful. It would probably be seen as elitist and discriminatory and would face considerable political obstacles”. They were right about the “discriminatory” part, but we are not sure about the “considerable political obstacles”.

If you are in a Buffer Zone in NSW or not sure if you are, and have not registered your horses please do so.

To register or indeed to find out if you are in the buffer ring 1800 675 888.

The helpful Queensland DPI spokesperson echoed the statements of the NSW DPI in that all horses in the Buffer would be vaccinated; indeed it was mandatory that they were. Exceptions to this were horses that were unable to be immunised due to the health of the horse and the vaccine manufacturers advice. He further explained that all horses that have been given the gene modified recombinant canary pox vaccine would have to be monitored for life. (to do with the gene modification)

Again Queensland DPI stressed that all horses in the Buffer must register and that the registration or lack of it was the biggest hindrance to buffer vaccination.

They also made a very good point about bio-security measures and the human carrier problem. “You must think like a surgeon going in to an operating theater”. Everyone knows about changing clothes, showering, blowing your nose etc. and even scrubbing boots, but what about your akubra or cap?

For information about Buffer vaccination in Queensland. 13 25 23