Wakaa launches the national program for livestock vaccination in Saudi Arabia
In a strategic move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to strengthening its food security system and protecting public health, the National Center for Plant Pest and Animal Disease Prevention and Control (Wiqa’) announced the launch of the Comprehensive National Livestock Vaccination Program. This announcement is a key pillar of the Kingdom’s efforts to achieve the goals of Vision 2030, which prioritizes the sustainability of vital resources and self-sufficiency.
Strategic context and developmental dimensions
The launch of this program comes at a time when the Kingdom is witnessing major transformations in the agricultural and livestock sectors, as stakeholders seek to move from traditional veterinary care methods to a sophisticated, preventative system based on technology and accurate data. Historically, the livestock sector has faced challenges related to the spread of transboundary diseases, necessitating a unified national strategy that ensures proactive control rather than merely reactive measures.
The program primarily aims to enhance the herds' immunity, directly reducing mortality rates and the economic losses incurred by farmers and the national economy. It also plays a pivotal role in protecting public health by combating zoonotic diseases and mitigating the phenomenon of microbial resistance resulting from the overuse of antibiotics.
An integrated system to improve the efficiency of immunization
The “Wiqa” Center explained that the program is not limited to vaccine distribution alone, but includes an integrated system that begins with identifying the epidemiological map of each region, continues with localizing the veterinary vaccine industry to ensure pharmaceutical sovereignty, and culminates in rigorously managing supply chains to guarantee vaccine safety during transport and storage. The center is working on establishing digital databases that allow for tracking vaccination operations and measuring their effectiveness in the field, while applying strict quality standards to all suppliers and service providers.
Target groups and support mechanisms
The program categorized the target groups into four groups to ensure comprehensive coverage:
- Animals for food security: These include cows, sheep, camels, and poultry, which are the main nerve center of food production.
- Public health animals: These include equines and domestic animals such as cats and dogs to prevent the transmission of diseases to humans.
- Wildlife: Animals in reserves and zoos to preserve biodiversity.
- Imported livestock: To ensure they are free from diseases before entering local markets.
Regarding support, the center divided beneficiaries into two categories: the first, “subsidized,” includes small-scale farmers in rural holdings (less than 500 sheep/goats or 50 camels/cattle) and high-risk areas. The second, “unsubsidized,” category includes commercial projects and large-scale farmers, who are served through licensed service providers.
Technical requirements to ensure effectiveness
The “Wiqaa” program emphasizes strict protocols for successful vaccination, most importantly preventing stress or transport of animals for 14 days after vaccination to ensure a strong immune response. The program also includes annual serological surveys to measure the level of acquired immunity. For the poultry sector, precise requirements have been established regarding the quality of water used in vaccination and storage conditions. Vaccination of imported birds and livestock is mandatory, either in the country of origin or upon arrival at Saudi ports of entry, to ensure a disease-free environment.
