Bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccination
Information on BTV-3 vaccines including permits and licences.
There are 3 BTV-3 vaccines currently permitted for use.
Where you can use BTV-3 vaccines
In England, you can use the Bluevac-3, Bultavo 3 or Syvazul BTV vaccines, as long as you comply with the conditions of the general licence for England including reporting vaccination activity.
In Scotland, you can use the Bluevac-3, Bultavo 3 or Syvazul BTV vaccines, as long as you comply with the declaration including reporting vaccination activity.
In Wales, you can use the Bluevac-3, Bultavo 3 or Syvazul BTV vaccines, as long as you comply with the conditions of the general licence for Wales including reporting vaccination activity.
In Northern Ireland, no vaccines are licensed for use.
Advisory note for vets
The UK, Wales and Scotland Chief Veterinary Officers ask all vets to record BTV-3 vaccine use and inform relevant authorities of any adverse effects.
Vets should read the advisory note for England or advisory note for Wales (as appropriate) before prescribing any BTV-3 vaccine.
Market authorisation
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has granted marketing authorisations for Bluevac-3 in Great Britain, and Bultavo 3 in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Bluevac-3 (for sheep and cattle) and Syvazul BTV (for sheep) are authorised throughout the EU and according to the Windsor Framework could be marketed in Northern Ireland.
All 3 vaccines were authorised under exceptional circumstances and therefore assessments were based on customised requirements for documentation.
Although Syvazul BTV is not yet authorised in Great Britain, the Secretary of State has permitted its use under Schedule 4 of the Veterinary Medicine Regulations 2013 (VMR 2013).
Transition period for permitted vaccines
Unauthorised BTV-3 vaccines can:
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be imported into Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) under a permit until October 2025
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continue to be used under permit until they reach their expiry date, as long as they were purchased on the British market
You can use authorised vaccines without a permit as soon as they are available.
Vaccine details
The summary of product characteristics (SPC) for Bluevac-3 and Bultavo 3 are available on the VMD’s Product Information Database (PID). The SPC for Syvazul BTV 3 is available on the European Medicines Agency (EMA)’s Union Product database.
Bluevac-3 Suspension for Injection for Sheep and Cattle
This vaccine is manufactured by CZ Veterinaria S.A., has marketing authorisations for use in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and is for the active immunisation of:
- sheep to reduce the viraemia, mortality and clinical signs caused by the serotype 3 of the bluetongue virus
- cattle to reduce the viraemia against the serotype 3 of the bluetongue virus
Bultavo 3 Suspension for Injection for Sheep and Cattle
This vaccine is manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Limited, has marketing authorisations for use in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and is for the active immunisation of:
- sheep to reduce viraemia and to prevent clinical signs caused by BTV-3
- cattle to prevent viraemia and to prevent clinical signs caused by BTV-3
Syvazul BTV 3 Suspension for Injection for Sheep
This vaccine is manufactured by Laboratorios SYVA S.A.U., has marketing authorisations for use in Northern Ireland, and is for the active immunisation of:
- sheep to reduce viraemia, mortality, clinical signs and lesions caused by bluetongue serotype 3
Movement controls and trade restrictions
All movement controls and trade restrictions still apply to vaccinated animals. You should not test vaccinated animals as part of a pre-movement test in bluetongue zones until 7 days after their vaccination. This will prevent interference with BTV-3 monitoring.
Vaccine permits
These allow manufacturers to import the vaccines.
Updates to this page
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Two BTV-3 vaccines have been granted marketing authorisation by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. Unauthorised vaccines can continue to be imported into Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) until October 2025. You can continue to use unauthorised vaccines under permit until their expiry date, as long as they were bought on the British market.
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The general licence for bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) now applies to all counties in England.
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Added information about BTV-3 vaccine licences (which allow keepers to vaccinate their animals), as well as advice to veterinarians.
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Amended second paragraph to clarify the vaccine claims.
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First published.