The following vaccines are available in East Africa to prevent infectious diseases in livestock.
Chicken
Vaccination regime recommended for commercial layer and broiler chicks, but the bold printed vaccines are also applicable to improved management of indigenous chicken. The most important vaccination in chicken is against Newcastle disease which can wipe out entire chicken populations.
Age
Vaccinate against
Application
1st week
Marek and Newcastle disease
Subcut (neck)
2nd week
Gumboro
In drinking water
3rd week
Newcastle (Lasota) + IB (infectious Bronchitis
In drinking water or as eye/nostril drop
4th week
Deworming, IBD forte
In drinking water
5th week
Newcastle (Lasota) + IB
In drinking water
6 - 8th week
Typhoid
Injection
9th week
Deworming (every 2-4 weeks)
In drinking water
8 - 10th week
Fowl pox
Wing stab
12 - 14th week
Typhoid
Injection
16 - 18th week
Renewed Newcastle (where disease is prevalent)
Optional
The bold ones are also needed for small holder chicken flocks (including indigenous/kienyeji chicken)
Cattle
Age
Vaccinate against
Application
Remarks
3-8 months for heifers
Brucellosis
S/C - Once in a lifetime
During threats of outbreak the whole breeding herd may be vaccinated. Use vaccine with care. S19 live vaccine, if accidentally injected into humans can cause brucellosis in humans.
3 months to 3 years
Anthrax and Blackquater
S/C - Yearly or upon warning of impending outbreak
Vaccine is cheap, SO USE IT. Anthrax is deadly for humans and animals.
2 weeks and above
CBPP
Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia
Yearly in endemic areas. In other areas only upon warning of impending outbreak. Vaccinated into the tip of the tail.
Consult your veterinary authorities.To be administered by trained veterinarians only. Animals can sometimes loose the tip of their tails from this vaccination.
1 month and above
ECF
East Coast Fever
S/C under the ear. Vaccine is commercialized in Tanzania and in Kenya
Only to be used by licensed Veterinarians who are trained of application of the ECE Infection and Treatment Methods.
2 weeks and above
Foot and Mouth disease (FMD)
S/C - Every 6 months in endemic areas. All of East Africa is endemic for FMD
Different strains exist. Consult you veterinarian on the choice of vaccine. To be administered by trained government veterinarians.
3 months and above
Rabies
I/M or S/C - Cattle can be vaccinated annually and must be vaccinated when there is an outbreak
Vaccine is normally provided by the government vet. This is the only method that can protect herds affected by rabies (rabies is mostly introduced by bites from rabid dogs) if rabies vaccination is done within maximum one week after the rabid animal came into the herd.Report suspected cases immediately to the District Veterinary officer.
6 months and above
Rift Valley Fever
S/C - Preventive after heavy rains or when there is a risk of outbreak.
A live vaccine is used. Vaccination is only carried out under order by the DVS. Pregnant animals may abort from the vaccination. Live vaccines may also be dangerous for humans, so HANDLE WITH CARE. RVF in humans can be deadly so control is very important. A new live RVF vaccine which does not cause abortions in livestock has been developed but is not yet registered in Kenya.
1 month and above
Lumpy skin
S/C - Preventive when there is a risk of outbreak.
When using this live vaccine, separate cattle from sheep and goats, as the vaccine is derived from modified sheep pox virus. If sheep and goat come into close contact with freshly vaccinated cattle the vaccine can cause acute pox disease in sheep and goats
Goats and Sheep
Age
Vaccinate against
Application
Remarks
1 month and above
CCPP Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia
S/C Annual vaccinations
Only for goats, Sheep are not affected
2 weeks and above
PPR (Peste des Petits Ruminants) Goat plague
S/C Properly done the vaccine will protect a goat or sheep for life. Newborns should be vaccinated as a routine
PPR came to Kenya in 2006 - related to rinderpest. Without vaccination PPR can kill all your goats and half your sheep. - the vaccine is very sensitive, vaccination must be carried out by trained veterinary professionals
2 weeks and above
Sheep and Goat pox
S/C Annual vaccinations
Without vaccination this disease Sheep and Goat pox may kill many lambs and kids. In serious cases mortality may be high.
2 weeks and above
Enterotoxemia + tetanus
S/C Every 6-8 months. Disease is common with lush pastures
Pregnant animals should be vaccinated at least a month before giving birth. Vaccination for tetanus should always follow tail dockingin lambs and is recommended for animals (esp. sheep) with deep wounds
1 month and above
Orf
Scarification method. If there is a risk of outbreak or. In endemic areas routine vaccination is recommended
Orf may be more common in goats due to their feeding habits as browsers of thorny bushes. Mortality of young can be high.Repeat vaccination should be done 2-3 months after the initial one. The vaccine is live and can affect people, so HANDLE WITH CARE.
Brucellosis
Specific Brucellosis Vaccine for sheep and goat is not available in East Africa.
Camels
Age
Vaccinate against
Application
Remarks
3 months with repeat after 3 months
Camel Pox
Not available in Africa
Too expensive but very effective
As for cattle
Brucellosis
S/C
Same vaccine as in cattle
6 months and above
Rift Valley Fever
S/C During threats of outbreaks
Very high rate of abortion during outbreaks if no vaccination has been done
Horses and Donkeys
Age
Vaccinate against
Application
Remarks
7 months and above
Horse sickness (horses only)
S/C Donkeys are less susceptible than horses but can get horse sickness and die. Should be done annually in horses.
Each vaccination includes a sequence of several injections. Good control of midges (small flies) is needed to limit spread of this disease. Pour-on is effective
2 weeks and above
Tetanus
S/C Annually or when an animal has an open wound or after operations.
Tetanus is fatal so vaccination is highly recommended. Donkeys are more prone to tetanus, as they frequently have open wounds.
