Digital Livestock Drive: Experts Propose Animal Vaccine Cards to Strengthen Health Systems
Experts have proposed the introduction of vaccination cards for animals for the first time in the country, aiming to strengthen animal healthcare systems, protect livelihoods, and reduce the risk of zoonotic diseases. The proposal was presented at a program organized on the occasion of World Health Day under the theme “Together for Health: Stand with Science.”
The event, held at a hotel in the capital, was jointly organized by icddr,b and the Department of Livestock Services. At the program, the final stage of the guideline titled “Guidance for Effective Vaccination Management for Livestock, Poultry and Pets in Bangladesh” was presented.
Boyjar Rahman, Director (Administration) of the Department of Livestock Services, said that the country’s capacity to produce animal vaccines is currently limited to around 10 percent. Without strengthening the vaccination system, the livestock sector will not be able to reach its full potential.
Although the livestock and poultry sectors contribute significantly to the national economy, vaccination coverage remains low. According to data, only about 20 percent of rural farmers regularly vaccinate their animals.
Experts noted that while the Expanded Programme on Immunization for humans has been successful, a coordinated national vaccination system for animals has yet to be established. Lack of awareness, concerns about side effects, weak cold chain systems, irregular vaccine supply, and shortages of trained veterinary personnel are hindering progress.
Emphasizing the “One Health” concept, they said that animal vaccination is directly linked not only to animal health but also to the environment, food security, and public health. With nearly 70 percent of infectious diseases in the country being zoonotic, the importance of this issue has increased further.
In this context, the proposal to introduce vaccination cards for livestock, poultry, and pets has been made as part of a structured vaccination system. The cards would store animal identification, vaccination history, and schedules, thereby improving monitoring and coordination.
Dr. Sukanta Chowdhury, Scientist at icddr,b, said that if implemented, the initiative would enable farmers to easily track vaccinations, increase coverage, and strengthen disease prevention. This would reduce animal mortality and enhance productivity.
Participants at the meeting stated that strengthening the vaccination system would reduce disease burden and economic losses, increase farmers’ income, and ensure food security. It would also help in tackling antimicrobial resistance.
Following the roundtable discussion, participants expressed a collective commitment to implementing an integrated and evidence-based animal vaccination system, which would play a significant role in protecting both human and animal health through the “One Health” approach.
DBTech/SA/MUIM/OR
