Vaccination FAQs

Is there a vaccine for BTV-3?

Defra’s Secretary of State has permitted the use of three bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccines within the UK, subject to a valid licence or declaration. . Two of these have been granted a marketing authorisation, the third is unauthorised (17.06.2025).

England Bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccine: information for keepers – GOV.UK Wales Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccine: information for keepers and vets | GOV.WALES

Scotland Licensing – Bluetongue: how to spot and report the disease – gov.scot

Depending on the species you are vaccinating, some BTV-3 vaccines claim to prevent viraemia and others claim to reduce it.

It is important to consult with your vet about what animals to vaccinate and when if you are considering vaccinating. Handling of animals in early stages of pregnancy should be considered – discuss with your vet.

There is no evidence to suggest the Bluetongue vaccines will have a negative impact on the fertility of cattle and sheep, however, the disease itself can cause abortions, foetal deformities and stillbirths.

 The decision to vaccinate is a matter for farmers to discuss with their vet. It is impossible to predict the impact BTV-3 will have in 2025, but vaccination is of benefit in the case of significant disease and should be considered as an appropriate insurance to protect animals and businesses.

Our focus is to ensure that farmers and their private vets are fully informed of the current situation.

For serotypes where vaccines are available (such as BTV-1, -2, -4 and -8), vaccination is the best way to protect livestock. Livestock keepers should discuss with their vet whether vaccination is an option which will benefit their business.

Vets can apply to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) for a Special Import Certificate, which will allow livestock keepers to import safe and effective bluetongue vaccines directly from the EU.

All movement controls and trade restrictions still apply to vaccinated animals. This is subject to change; for the current status, please see: Bluetongue movement licences and designated slaughterhouses (gov.uk/guidance/bluetongue-movement-licencesand-designated-slaughterhouses).

From 1 July 2025 you will not need a pre-movement test or specific bluetongue licence to move vaccinated and unvaccinated animals within England.  

Susceptible animals both vaccinated and unvaccinated, will require a pre-movement test if moving from the RZ to Scotland or Wales except cattle vaccinated with the Boehringer Bultavo-3 vaccine – they may move from the RZ into Scotland without a pre-movement test.

If you are moving vaccinated animals which require a pre-movement test, you should wait until at least 7 days after vaccinating before testing. This will prevent interference with BTV-3 monitoring.

The BTV-3 vaccine cannot be used in Northern Ireland at this time, but will keep this position under review.

Farmers should consider vaccinating animals if:

  • There is a high density of ruminant farms in the area, particularly if any of these had confirmed cases of BTV-3 in 2024
  • They plan to buy in animals or to transport animals back home from distant sales or shows
  • The weather conditions have been unseasonably warm
  • If the impact of reduced productivity, abortions or reduced animal welfare could affect conservation efforts
  • They keep cattle, sheep and/or other ruminants or camelids
  • Prioritise the following livestock:
    • High-value breeding stock, rare breeds and pedigrees
    • Animals not pregnant or in mid pregnancy
    • Breeding males – particularly if they only have a few and expect them to serve lots of females
  • Like any sheep or cattle vaccine, there will be maternal transfer of immunity in the colostrum to lambs and calves, and this will protect newborns.
  • This immunity will wane over the first few months of life, and lambs and calves will require their own vaccination to be protected in the longer term.
  • The timing of this vaccination is important, as the maternal antibodies will inhibit the vaccine – the manufacturers’ recommendation for the BTV vaccines is to wait 1–3 months before vaccinating lambs and calves (depending on the vaccine used).

If you have vaccinated your livestock, you will still need to test if you suspect BTV as this is a notifiable disease and not all vaccines claim to prevent viremia in all species.

No the BTV-3 vaccines are only licensed against the bluetongue virus serotype 3.

While BTV-12 is currently lower priority, we are not aware of any plans to develop and licence a vaccine for serotype 12, however the situation for BTV-12 will continue to be monitored.    

For serotypes where vaccination is possible (such as BTV 1, 2, 4 and 8), vaccination is the best way to protect livestock. Livestock keepers should discuss with their vet whether vaccination is an option which will benefit their business. Veterinary surgeons can apply to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate for a Special Import Certificate, which will allow keepers to import safe and effective bluetongue vaccine directly from the EU to vaccinate their stock. 

Because BTV is transmitted by midges carrying the virus, and not from one animal to another, vaccination will not necessarily prevent all future potential disease spread but will enable farmers to protect their own herds.   

Depending on what is exported to which country, semen may be allowed from vaccinated male animals. There may be additional requirements for export, and this will depend on the specific requirements of the import country. If you sell semen through an AI company, they should be able to provide further advice.

For more information: Restrictions on germinal product from bluetongue-susceptible animals – GOV.UK