Developing an emergency vaccination plan for foot-and-mouth disease in free countries

This guide is intended to be used by veterinary contingency planners in foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) free countries. The concepts presented can also be adapted to other animal health threats. The guide provides recommendations for the structure and content of an emergency vaccination plan, once the decision to vaccinate has been made, and the vaccination strategy has been decided.It does not include any consideration of the decision-making process on if, when and how to proceed with vaccination. The plan should be adapted to the context and requirements of the country. The guide has been drafted based on the outcome of two European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (EuFMD) workshops on “Putting vaccination into Practice” held in Grange, Ireland from 13 to 16 March 2017, and in Malaga, Spain from 19 to 22 March 2019. The workshops identified the key elements required for the development of an emergency vaccination implementation plan. Further information has been included to extend the guide to all aspects of an emergency vaccination plan.