Vets allay fears over mass vaccination of animals

The vaccines to be administered to the millions of cattle, sheep, and goats are locally manufactured, the Kenya Veterinary Vaccine Production Institute (Kevevapi) has said.

Kevevapi Managing Director Alex Sabuni announced that the two vaccines are produced by the state agency and go through approvals to ensure they meet international safety standards.

Dr Sabuni said claims by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka that the government was planning to vaccinate cattle, sheep, and goats with gene-modifying drugs were based on politics and not science.  

He assured that the vaccines against foot and mouth disease in cattle and peste des petits ruminants (PPR) for sheep and goats are subjected to approvals and are not harmful to livestock.

The animal experts were reacting to a debate on the government's planned mass vaccination of livestock to stop emitting methane gas into the atmosphere.

Over the weekend Kalonzo claimed that the proposed vaccination “has all the markings of a foreign agenda.” He did not give evidence of alleged foul play in the exercise. 

“The vaccines are produced locally and undergo approvals before use. We have been distributing the vaccines to nine countries in Africa,” said Sabuni.

He said Kevavapi was established in 1990 to manufacture and market affordable quality animal vaccines to control diseases and reduce reliance on imports.

Sabuni explained that local production of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine began in 1964 by the Kenya Government and Welcome Trust Foundation, a precursor of KEVEVAPI.

Deputy Director of Veterinary Services Abraham Sangula said the planned mass vaccination of livestock is not something new as it has been in the work plan of the director of veterinary services.

Dr Sangula emphasized that vaccination is a key tool to control the spread of diseases, which can lead to quarantine and ban of animal products in markets, leading to disruption of trade.

He said failure to control livestock diseases could result in huge losses and deny farmers market for their products.

“Vaccination is not something new. By reducing the risk of disease outbreaks, vaccination helps maintain healthy herds, enhances productivity, and safeguards the health of consumers,” he said.

Sangula assured that the government has adhered to international protocol in planning the vaccination of livestock.

Director for Livestock Policy, Research, and Regulations Christopher Wanga said vaccination of livestock is historical and urged farmers to support the programme.

Dr Wanga  warned that disease outbreaks can disrupt local and international trade in animal and animal products and threaten animals across the borders. “We carry out vaccinations to ensure animals are healthy and farmers have markets for their products,” he said.

Kalonzo said the vaccination would not bode well for the pastoralist communities or Kenyans, claiming that the programme has the support of international research institutions.

“Animals release gas into the atmosphere as part of the normal biological process of digestion. Those behind this plan claim that the natural release of intestinal gas, a result of normal feeding and flatulence, is hazardous to the environment,” he said. 

“They argue that biogas, which is used for various residential purposes around the world, contributes to harmful climate change. As a result, our animals are expected to receive injections that will prevent them from releasing digestive gases into the atmosphere indefinitely,” added the Wiper leader.

Kalonzo alleged that the people behind the plan do not conduct similar vaccination programmes in their own countries, where, according to him, there are significantly more animals than in Kenya, making them greater contributors to “harmful climate change.”

“We reject these experiments. Let everyone know that we will resist them until the end. We ask Kenyans to join us in opposing the proposed vaccinations, which harm our animals and endanger our people,” he said.

The Wiper leader alleged that the vaccines would alter the genetic structure of the livestock, particularly after one or two generations.