What is the recommended vaccination schedule for sheep?

The recommended vaccination schedule for sheep emphasizes the importance of protecting them from specific diseases that can significantly impact their health and productivity. Vaccinating at weaning is a crucial time because it coincides with stressful conditions that can leave young sheep vulnerable to infections. Following this initial vaccination, administering boosters annually helps ensure ongoing immunity against clostridial diseases, which are particularly harmful to sheep. This schedule allows for the development of a robust immune response in young animals and helps maintain their resistance to diseases as they grow and encounter various environments and stressors.

In contrast, the other suggested schedules may not provide adequate protection. For instance, vaccinating only before shearing and annually thereafter may miss vulnerable periods when the sheep are at higher risk of disease, particularly young lambs that require timely protection. Vaccinating every six months, regardless of age or health status, could lead to unnecessary vaccinations, which may not address the specific seasonal needs of the sheep. Finally, offering vaccination only once in a sheep's lifetime would leave the animals unprotected against diseases that can arise later in life and fails to consider the importance of booster vaccinations to maintain immunity over time.