THE pharmaceutical company Zoetis Ireland has apologised to breeders for the shortage in supply of the equine herpes vaccine. The lack of supply has led to the Department of Agriculture issuing special permission for unlicensed alternative vaccines to be imported, while sales companies have been forced to put special measures in place at the forthcoming breeding stock sales to reduce the risk of disease outbreak.
A statement issued on Friday by Zoetis Ireland said the company “would like to apologise for the ongoing Equip EHV1,4 supply issue which has affected markets worldwide. We understand the level of anxiety and frustration in the Irish equine community.
“We would like to assure you that Zoetis is taking this issue very seriously and many people across the organisation are dedicated to finding a resolution as quickly as possible, whilst maintaining the highest quality of our veterinary medicines and vaccines.
“By working with our global supply network, the Department of Agriculture and HPRA we have been able to obtain a quantity of an alternative equine herpes virus vaccine, Pneumabort K+1B. Allocation and shipping has been confirmed and we hope product will be available to the market during the first half of December.”
Ros Devereux, chair of Veterinay Ireland’s equine committee, said: “Zoetis have a virtual monopoly in the market for this vaccine. When there is a manufacturing problem there needs to be a contingency plan in place.”
Mares offered at next week’s Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale who have not been vaccinated against equine herpes will be sold in absentia. Yesterday Goffs said it will require vendors of in-foal mares at its November Sale to provide a copy of the pre-sale EHV-1/4 vaccination record by Wednesday, November 11th. Sean Flannery is the company’s point of contact on this matter and, once the information is received, Goffs will clarify each lot’s position in relation to mare vaccination requirements and will immediately communicate any necessary contingency plans to vendors.