[Epizootiological prerequisites and results of use of live vaccines]

Immunobiological action holds a firm position in veterinary legislation of the GDR with regard to the prevention and control of zoonoses, parasitoses, and other risk factors. Here are some of the conditions which have to be satisfied for systematic and purpose-oriented application of live vaccines: (a) Stringent procedures and rules for testing and acceptance of pharmaceutical preparations; (b) Availability of scientifically founded concepts of application which have to be submitted for translation from research to production and for acceptance and which require for use under practice conditions prior permission of veterinary authorities or other legal consent; (c) Knowledge of both prevalence and incidence of the epidemic diseases for which live vaccines are to be used in prophylaxis and after-care; (d) Verification of good success of live vaccines (decline and regression of diseases or reduction of economic loss) and identification of factors with detrimental impact upon effectiveness; (e) High organisational efficiency of public veterinary services and availability of comprehensive networks for diagnosis to ensure effectiveness and harmlessness of all strategical and tactical measures taken. In the GDR, the above demands are met. The epizootiological situation has clearly improved. Appropriate and meaningful use of live vaccines is not contradictory to culling concepts. Whenever the use of live vaccines appears to be impermissible for epizootiological and other reasons, the possible economic damage likely to result from non-use should be included in the discussion. The latter would be of particular importance in the context of industralised livestock farming with high concentration and specialisation.