[Role of vaccination in the collective fight against infectious animal diseases]

"Role of vaccination in the collective fight against infectious animal diseases The part of vaccinations in collective fight against contagious animal diseases depends on objectives selected according to their impact on human health as well as on animal health and production, their prevalence and their epidemiological characteristics. In association with sanitary measures (biosecurity), the systematic vaccination, when vaccines are available, is often the first step indispensable to control the diseases and reduce their impact t an acceptable level, in particular if prevalence of infected animals is high. But vaccination is often insufficient to allow infectious agents eradicating. Now, for the more important diseases, eradication is an objective often required in order to obtain a free status. When the prevalence is very low, subsequent steps can include vaccination ban and adoption of program based only on a test and slaughter policy. Following successful eradication, emergency vaccination should be also implemented in order to prevent or contain spread of infection in unaffected areas."