Virtual Launch of the 1st Edition of the Veterinary Vaccines Book
by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
12/05/2021
FAO Director-General Dr QU Dongyu
Opening Segment
Virtual Launch of the 1st Edition of the Veterinary Vaccines Book
12 May
As prepared
Esteemed Scientists and Experts,
Dear Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. We have come a long way, since the practice of immunization started, hundreds of years back, with Edward Jenner, the father of immunology, inoculating a young boy against smallpox.
2. Thanks to systematic mass immunization smallpox was defeated globally in 1979 and ten years ago rinderpest was successfully eradicated, marking a significant event in veterinary medicine.
3. Since their invention, veterinary vaccines have played a central role in improving the health and welfare of animals, thereby increasing production of livestock in a cost-effective manner.
4. This has a tremendously positive impact on reducing poverty for rural, livestock‐dependent families and communities.
5. Protecting animal and public health in the spirit of the One-Health approach is at the heart of our work on food security and nutrition, food safety and poverty alleviation.
6. It contributes to the core mandate of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and also to many Sustainable Development Goals.
7. The past two decades have seen remarkable advances in the application of molecular genetics and its increased insights into immunology, microbiology and genomics applied to vaccinology.
8. In addition, vaccines prevent animal-to-human disease transmission from both domestic animals and wildlife, and help reduce the impact of antimicrobials and their residues in the human food chain.
9. Our work is guided by a strategic vision, with the goal of achieving the Four Betters: Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life.
10. Sustainable animal production as well as the health and vaccination of livestock are essential to achieve the 4 Betters.
11. Veterinary services, along with international and regional organizations, are on the front line worldwide to mitigate the burden and spread of animal diseases.
12. Therefore, the availability and access to good quality vaccines, in addition to biosafety, are critical for the prevention and control of high impact animal and zoonotic diseases.
13. While veterinary vaccines comprise only approximately 23% of the global market for animal health products, the sector has grown consistently.
14. This is mainly due to new technological advances in vaccine development and vaccine production, in accordance with international standards, as well as innovative and effective vaccination strategies.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
15. The book we are launching today contains high-level technical and practical information and guidelines on veterinary vaccines.
16. It reviews the principles of vaccinology, the immune response, vaccination strategies as well as implementation and monitoring.
17. It also contains the latest on the development of new generation vaccines and new approaches for their implementation.
18. A full review of vaccines against selected high impact diseases and an overview of strategic vaccine reserves and banks are also included.
19. I am confident that this comprehensive book will be valuable to a wide audience, including government authorities, decision makers, field veterinaries, livestock keepers, the scientific community, vaccine producers and veterinary students.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
20. This book is part of the continued assistance FAO provides to its Members to accelerate and scale-up their work against animal diseases.
21. I congratulate all who contributed to the first edition of this Veterinary Vaccines book.
22. This is an important milestone on our path to protect animal and public health.
23. Let’s continue working for more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems to secure safe and nutritious food for all.
Thank you.