Following the first meeting of the Group for Vaccination Advice, Guidance and Consultation for FAST diseases (GVA) in the Middle East was held in November 2020 and the recent launch of the GVA discussion forum via the EuFMD virtual learning platform last month, the EuFMD organized the second meeting of the regional GVA for FAST diseases in the Middle East.

The objectives of the meeting are to:

• update on the Foot-and-mouth and Similar Transboundary animal diseases (FAST) situation in the Middle East (most recent events);
• update on EuFMD activities relevant for the Group for Vaccination Advice, Guidance and Consultation (GVA) since the first meeting;
• elaborate on FMD vaccines, vaccination strategies, and post-vaccination monitoring in the Middle East (feedback on the discussion that has been launched via GVA forum);
• elect the core group leader;
• agree on an annual GVA action plan.

The plenary discussion at this meeting was based on the discussion that has been initiated over the last few weeks via the GVA forum between core group experts, focal points, and international experts on FMD vaccines, vaccination strategies, and post-vaccination monitoring studies in the Middle East.