A CHRONIC shortage in supply of equine herpes vaccine was first highlighted in The Irish Field last month.

In situations where essential products are not available on the Irish market, the Minister for Agriculture may licence the import of products authorised in another EU member state.

In this regard, the Department has issued a licence for the import of 1,000 doses of Equip EHV1,4 vaccine from the UK. The vaccine can be obtained by your registered veterinary practitioner.

PLAN B

In an effort to ensure the availability of vaccine in the event that a sufficient product to meet the current shortfall cannot be accessed in other EU member states, the Department has issued, on a very exceptional basis, a licence for the import of quantities up to 12,000 doses of Pneumabort K+Ib (Equine Rhinopneumonitis Vaccine) from the USA. The vaccine can be obtained by your registered veterinary practitioner.

AT OWN RISK

Veterinary practitioners and horse owners should note that this vaccine does not currently have a marketing authorisation valid in the EU and thus the normal safeguards provided in European legislation by Council Directive 2001/82 relating to safety, quality and efficacy do not apply.

Products without a marketing authorisation valid in the EU are used at the individual’s own risk and in such situations the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine cannot be held responsible for any negative consequences that may occur.

That said it should be noted that in this case both the product and the premises of manufacture in the US are authorised by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Click here to read a statement from Zoetis Ireland on the equine herpes vaccine shortage