At an EMAV workshop in Vienna end of April experts from the EMAV members and highly esteemed scientists shared information about conditions and appropriate methods in the control of animal diseases and zoonoses. The evaluation of the situation in Europe demonstrates the significant as fast growing importance of veterinary vaccines and highlights the indispensable role of esp. Autogenous vaccines (AV) as an valuable tool in the hands of veterinary practitioners. This analysis is supporting the optimal use of AV in terms of animal health management, the reduction in use of antibiotics and the prevention of animal diseases and zoonoses.
Headed by Prof. Hans-Joachim Selbitz, Leipzig, the participants discussed (1) the importance of AV in a modern vaccine portfolio and general aspects of their use, including basic epidemiological aspects, (2) examples for production and application of AV (for different animal species) and (3) specific conditions of animal husbandry with influence on the use of AV. EMAV welcomed the participation of Prof. Isabel Hennig-Pauka, Hanover (for Pigs), Prof. Anders Miki Bojesen, Copenhagen (Poultry) and Prof. Dušan Palić (Fish) who presented an overview about the existing practice in species related conditions of livestock farming and health management in Europe and prescribed trends and future developments remotely. Challenges caused by the handling of companion animal, esp. pets and exotics, have been discussed at the EMAV workshop too.
Klaus-Peter Behr, Chair of EMAV, referred at the 7th EMAV General Assembly about highly accepted EMAV activities, like the publication of the EMAV position paper for an GMP dedicated to AV in March 2021 ( EMAV position paper) and the IABS symposium about “Autogenous vaccines: Quality of production and movement in a common market” in September 2021 in Munich (conclusions are published at “BIOLOGICALS”, BIOLOGICALS)
At the meeting in Vienna Gerfried Zeller, Managing Director, could welcome AGES, the Austrian Agency for Animal Health and Food Safety (Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit) as a new associated member of EMAV too, represented by Prof. Friedrich Schmoll and Astrid Weiss.