Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Welfare and Respiratory Vaccine Timing

Optimal vaccination timing for BRD prevention requires understanding of disease risk windows. Strategic vaccination protocols significantly reduce respiratory disease suffering.

Key Facts

BRD risk peaks in the weeks following transport, weaning, and mixing
Vaccination before transport provides maximum benefit for shipped cattle
Modified live and killed vaccine products have different protocols and performance characteristics
Intranasal vaccines provide faster mucosal immunity for acute-risk situations
Booster protocols are important for complete protection with killed products

Welfare Considerations

Strategic vaccination timing is a highly effective welfare intervention for BRD. Getting vaccination timing right based on individual risk profiles prevents significant respiratory disease suffering.

What You Can Do

Work with a vet to design evidence-based BRD vaccination protocols
Support farms with comprehensive vaccination programmes
Advocate for BRD vaccination as a standard welfare practice
Learn about BRD risk windows and the evidence for vaccination timing