FAO supports successful PPR vaccination campaign in Eritrea
17/02/2026
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has supported Eritrea in the successful implementation of a large-scale vaccination campaign against peste des petits ruminants (PPR), conducted between in 2025, marking an important step toward strengthening animal health and advancing the global goal of PPR eradication by 2030.
Through FAO’s assistance, Eritrea received three million doses of PPR vaccine, enabling the vaccination of 2.8 million sheep and goats across the country. This achievement represents a major milestone for the national PPR control programme and reflects the strong collaboration and commitment of national authorities, veterinary services, FAO, and other partners involved in the campaign.
Beyond achieving high vaccination coverage, the campaign also placed strong emphasis on monitoring and evaluation. A total of 1,538 serum samples were collected from vaccinated animals for sero-monitoring. Laboratory testing of post-vaccination blood samples demonstrated a 64 percent immune response rate, providing valuable evidence of vaccine performance and field-level impact.
PPR is a highly contagious viral disease affecting sheep and goats, with severe consequences for livestock-dependent livelihoods, food security and national economies. Effective vaccination campaigns, combined with surveillance and regional coordination, are essential components of the Global Strategy for the Control and Eradication of PPR, implemented through PPR Global Eradication Programme, which aims to eliminate the disease worldwide by 2030.
The successful campaign in Eritrea demonstrates how targeted vaccination, supported by reliable sero-monitoring, can deliver measurable results at scale. Building on these outcomes, the country is strengthening its technical foundation for future PPR interventions while contributing to regional momentum toward eradication.
Through FAO’s assistance, Eritrea received three million doses of PPR vaccine, enabling the vaccination of 2.8 million sheep and goats across the country. This achievement represents a major milestone for the national PPR control programme and reflects the strong collaboration and commitment of national authorities, veterinary services, FAO, and other partners involved in the campaign.
Beyond achieving high vaccination coverage, the campaign also placed strong emphasis on monitoring and evaluation. A total of 1,538 serum samples were collected from vaccinated animals for sero-monitoring. Laboratory testing of post-vaccination blood samples demonstrated a 64 percent immune response rate, providing valuable evidence of vaccine performance and field-level impact.
PPR is a highly contagious viral disease affecting sheep and goats, with severe consequences for livestock-dependent livelihoods, food security and national economies. Effective vaccination campaigns, combined with surveillance and regional coordination, are essential components of the Global Strategy for the Control and Eradication of PPR, implemented through PPR Global Eradication Programme, which aims to eliminate the disease worldwide by 2030.
The successful campaign in Eritrea demonstrates how targeted vaccination, supported by reliable sero-monitoring, can deliver measurable results at scale. Building on these outcomes, the country is strengthening its technical foundation for future PPR interventions while contributing to regional momentum toward eradication.