The Department has been engaging extensively with Zoetis IE to ensure the availability of the vaccine Arvac for all eligible studs and to establish the timeframe for availability of the vaccine. It was hoped that administration of the vaccine in the first week of December would be achieved.
Zoetis IE have provided an update on the timeline for shipping and receipt of the vaccine and have advised the vaccine will be with Covetrus on the 9th December.
Although we remain on track to achieve the animal health objective of having stallions vaccinated, through quarantine and released prior to the commencement of the breeding season, we are aware that this delay pushes things very tight for stallions to be released from quarantine for the ITM Irish Stallion Trail on the 10th / 11th Jan.
For stallions that are intended to participate in the ITM stallion trail samples will need to be collected on the morning of the 7th January and provided to the Virology Division at Backweston by 10AM SHARP to facilitate testing and turnaround of results by the 10th January (barring any retests being required).
Any samples received after 10am on 7th January will not be tested in time to accommodate release from quarantine in time for the ITM Stallion Trail 2025.
Collection of blood sample for PCR testing will be permitted at day 28 of quarantine. This sample will need to be collected on the morning of the 7th Jan and provided to the Virology Division at Backweston by 10AM SHARP to facilitate testing and turnaround of results by the 10th January (barring any retests being required).
Please note a minimum 30 day quarantine and PCR negative test for release from quarantine remain compulsory.
It may be advisable for PVPs (looking to vaccinate on the 9th/10th December) to arrange direct collection of the vaccine from Covetrus to avoid any potential delays once the vaccine arrives on the 9th. However , DAFM will seek confirmation from Covetrus on this and advise you accordingly. Any samples received after 10am on 7th January will not be tested in time to accommodate release from quarantine in time for the ITM Stallion Trail 2025.
Critical Deadlines
- Vaccination Administration: By 10th December 2024
- Blood Sample Submission: By 10:00 AM on 7th January 2025
- Samples received after 10:00 AM on 7th January 2025 will not be processed in time for the stallion to be released from quarantine for the ITM Stallion Trail.
Queries relating to use of Arvac should be sent to veterinarymedicineswmc@agriculture.gov.ie
