Canberra, ACT – This Sunday, 20 April is World Animal Vaccination Day, an initiative of our global partner HealthforAnimals and the World Veterinary Association. Animal Medicines Australia is highlighting the vital role that animal vaccines play, not just in protecting animal health, but also in safeguarding public health, supporting our food systems, and reducing environmental impacts.
“Animal vaccination is a powerful tool in the One Health toolkit,” said Animal Medicines Australia Executive Director, Mr Ben Stapley. “Whether it’s protecting our pets from infectious yet preventable diseases such as parvovirus, or ensuring livestock are healthy and productive, vaccines help reduce the spread of disease, safeguard on-farm biosecurity and promote more sustainable agricultural practices.”
Vaccines help prevent the transmission of disease between animals – and between animals and people (zoonoses). This means our pets live longer, healthier lives by our side, and that livestock can be raised with fewer losses and less need for antibiotics, contributing to food safety and security. By reducing the burden of disease, animal vaccination also supports better animal welfare outcomes and more efficient production – critical in the growing global demand for protein and the need to use natural resources more sustainably.
“Australians may not always realise how important animal vaccination is to their everyday lives,” Mr Stapley added. “But from the eggs on our breakfast tables to the safety of a bushwalk free from the threat of diseases like leptospirosis, animal vaccines are working quietly in the background to keep us all safe.”
Europe has seen clear evidence of the public health benefits of animal vaccination. Cases of foodborne illness such as salmonella in people dropped by 50% in the early 2000s, thanks to widespread vaccination of poultry. Closer to home, the vaccination of livestock against diseases such as clostridial infections – and notably Hendra virus – has proven to be a game-changer for Australian producers and veterinarians.
“While people are increasingly aware of the importance of vaccination in human health, the same cannot always be said for animal health.” said Mr Stapley. “That’s why today is a valuable opportunity to remind Australians that keeping animals healthy is also key to keeping humans healthy, and our environment in balance.”
On World Animal Vaccination Day, Animal Medicines Australia joins our international partners in encouraging continued awareness, innovation, and uptake of animal vaccines. It’s not just about protecting animals—it’s about protecting all of us.