Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Respiratory Vaccine Programmes

Respiratory disease vaccination programmes in cattle reduce disease incidence, antibiotic use, and welfare costs from this major cause of morbidity and mortality.

Key Facts

BRD complex vaccines target Mannheimia haemolytica, BRSV, BVD, and IBR pathogens
Intranasal vaccines provide rapid mucosal immunity useful for incoming high-risk cattle
Combining vaccines with management changes achieves greater BRD reduction than vaccines alone
Vaccination protocols must be tailored to local disease pressure and timing of risk
Economic analysis consistently shows positive return on investment for BRD vaccination programmes

Welfare Considerations

BRD vaccination reduces disease incidence that causes significant suffering through fever, laboured breathing, and weakness. Prevention through vaccination is preferable to treatment for both welfare and antibiotic stewardship reasons, making appropriate vaccine protocols a high-priority welfare intervention.

What You Can Do

Implement BRD vaccination protocols appropriate to your cattle system and local disease risk
Work with your vet to design vaccination timing that optimises protection for high-risk periods
Combine vaccination with management improvements for maximum welfare and economic benefit