Where should the prorities be ?

In the AUSVETPLAN for equine influenza it states quite clearly and I quote from page 16

It is estimated that at least 70% of the exposed horse population must be adequately vaccinated to prevent epidemics, and that over 80% of the population must be immune, as a result of vaccination or natural infection, for eradication to be possible.

It also states and once again I quote, from page 39

In 2001, the number of Australian thoroughbred and standard bred racehorses was estimated to be about 60 000 (P Ellis, Australian Racing Board, pers comm, 2001) and to comprise very roughly 10% of the Australian horse population (excluding feral horses).

Seems to me that to reach that "over 80%" figure there is an urgent need
to vaccinate a lot of horses that are not racehorses or is the intention to allow these other horses to contract EI so as to have some immunity .

While I can understand the racing industry pushing it's own barrow , I hope
the preferential treatment they are receiving with vaccine allocation is not
at the expense of the overall aim of eradication of this outbreak.

And last (as usual) but not least I hope the other 90% of horses don't get
hung out to dry by those making the decisions.

m.j. Horse Deals Reader