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As we enter 2025, the landscape of animal health is evolving rapidly. Key drivers of change include the growing global demand for food, heightened concerns about zoonotic diseases, and significant advancements in vaccine technology. The veterinary industry is increasingly focused on addressing bacterial infections, with vaccine development emerging as a vital tool in maintaining livestock, ruminant, and poultry health. A healthy animal population is essential not only for ensuring food security but also for supporting the interconnected health of animals, humans, and the environment. Sixty percent of pathogens that cause human diseases originate from domestic animals or wildlife.¹
The interconnectedness of health
The "One Health" approach summarizes a concept that has been known for more than a century: human, animal, and plant health are interdependent.² Animal health is critical in reducing the spread of zoonotic diseases, which can be transmitted from animals to humans. Effective vaccination programs in livestock, ruminants, and poultry not only ensure animal health and food security but also protect public health by preventing the spread of infectious diseases. By taking a holistic approach to health, we can improve outcomes across all sectors.
What is the importance of animal health?
Animal health is at the core of sustainable food production and public health. By ensuring animals remain healthy and disease-free, productivity can be optimized while minimizing resource use and mitigating the risk of zoonotic diseases. Preventive health measures, particularly vaccination, play a central role in protecting animals from devastating bacterial infections and safeguarding public health.
The consequences of disease outbreaks in animals can be severe. High mortality rates, decreased productivity, rising veterinary costs, and the risk of disease transmission to humans make disease management a costly and unsustainable challenge. Moreover, maintaining the health of these animals ensures stability in food prices and availability, which is crucial as global food demand continues to rise. In an era when food security and public health are more important than ever, keeping animal populations healthy is a top priority for agricultural communities, veterinarians, and public health professionals worldwide.
Support global food supply
Livestock, ruminants, and poultry are cornerstones of the global food supply chain, providing essential protein sources such as meat, milk, and eggs. Healthy animals produce consistently, and vaccination is key in preventing diseases that could interrupt these vital food streams.
As the global population grows and the demand for protein increases, ensuring a stable food supply becomes a growing challenge. Livestock diseases such as blackleg have the potential to decimate herds, leading to reduced availability of animal-derived products. Vaccination, therefore, not only helps maintain the health of animals but also ensures the continuity and sustainability of the food supply chain.
Enhance sustainability and productivity
Maintaining animal health is critical not only for the agricultural industry but also for the broader scientific community and the general public. Working in the veterinary and animal health industry, whether in chemistry, manufacturing and control (CMC), research and development (R&D) or product engineering, your role is essential. The development and optimization of vaccines not only enhance animal productivity but also support the global need for sustainable food production and public health. By focusing on preventive health measures, you reduce the reliance on antibiotics and help combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.
Economic and social impact of animal disease
Animal disease outbreaks can have catastrophic economic and social consequences. In recent years, outbreaks of diseases such as African Swine Fever and Foot and Mouth Disease have resulted in billions of dollars in losses globally. African Swine Fever alone caused over $112.5 billion in economic damage during its 2019 outbreak, while Foot and Mouth Disease continues to cost the livestock industry $21 billion annually.³ These figures underscore the tremendous financial toll that diseases can impose on the animal health sector.
Bacterial infections like Johne’s disease and Bang’s disease further compound these issues, leading to reduced productivity, increased veterinary expenses, and the need for culling infected animals. These infections reduce reproductive success and growth rates in affected livestock, cattle, and poultry, resulting in significant financial losses.
Economic impact
Animal disease can have a devastating economic impact on small and mid-sized operations, which may not have the resources to recover from significant losses quickly. Infections like Salmonella typhimurium and Mannheimia haemolytica can increase veterinary costs and, in severe cases, lead to the culling of animals. This can result in reduced herd and flock sizes and lost revenue, often overwhelming for smaller operations without access to preventative measures, such as vaccination.
Social implications
The social implications are also severe, especially in communities where livestock and poultry farming play a significant role. The loss of animals due to disease can devastate household incomes, lead to financial hardship, and, in extreme cases, cause displacement. Disease outbreaks also threaten regional food security by reducing the availability of affordable meat, dairy, and eggs. The ripple effects of these losses are felt across entire communities.
Vaccination is one of the most effective tools for mitigating these disruptions. By focusing on disease prevention, vaccines help safeguard animals, reduce veterinary costs, and maintain productivity. This contributes to the well-being of communities by ensuring access to affordable and nutritious food and fostering a healthy environment.
Why vaccination is important to animal health
It is estimated that 1 in 5 farm animals are lost due to diseases each year.5 Vaccine development plays a crucial role in managing animal health, providing a proactive solution that reduces the need for costly treatments after outbreaks occur.
Common bacterial pathogens in the vet vaccine space
The following table lists common bacterial pathogens and the conditions they cause in animals. By developing vaccines against these pathogens, your community helps prevent the spread of bacterial infections among animals–and even humans.
Target Organism |
Common Conditions |
Common Animals Affected |
Escherichia coli |
Diarrhea, fever and vomiting |
ALL |
Salmonella typhimurium |
Enteritis and systemic septicemia (typhoid) |
Calves and other ruminants |
Salmonella dublin |
Respiratory disease |
Young livestock (calves) |
Clostridium perfringens |
Diarrhea, fever and vomiting |
Horses and adult cattle |
Clostridium tetani |
Tetanus |
ALL |
Clostridium difficile |
Diarrhea, fever and vomiting |
Horses and swine |
Clostridium chauvoei |
Blackleg |
Cattle and sheep |
Clostridium novyi type A |
Black Disease |
Cattle and sheep |
Clostridium haemolyticum |
Red Water Disease |
Cattle |
Clostridium septicum |
Gas gangrene and braxy |
Most farm animals |
Mycoplasma bovis |
Bovine respiratory disease |
Cattle |
Pasteurella multocida |
Fever and respiratory distress |
ALL |
Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica |
Pneumonia |
Calves and young sheep |
Listeria monocytogenes |
Encephalitis |
Most ruminants (especially sheep) |
Haemophilus somnus |
Respiratory disease |
Cattle |
Brucella abortus |
Bang's disease |
Cattle |
Mycobacterium paratuberculosis |
Johne's Disease |
Ruminants |
Public health implications
As mentioned, animal diseases have significant public health implications, particularly when zoonotic diseases are involved. Zoonotic diseases, such as avian influenza, brucellosis, and salmonellosis, can be transmitted from animals to humans.5 By vaccinating animals, the risk of zoonotic disease transmission is significantly reduced, thereby protecting human populations. Ensuring animal health through vaccination is therefore a critical component of public health initiatives aimed at controlling and preventing infectious diseases.
Vaccination vs. treatment
Preventive vaccination offers several advantages over treatment in managing animal health. Once a disease has spread, treatment can become costly and less effective. Vaccination, by contrast, provides a proactive approach to protect animals, including sheep and pigs, before outbreaks occur.
Overcoming preventative care barriers
Despite the clear benefits of vaccination, several barriers hinder its widespread adoption in livestock, ruminant, and poultry farming. One significant challenge is the cost of vaccines, which can be prohibitive for smaller-scale operations. Additionally, access to veterinary care and vaccination services can be limited, especially in rural or underserved areas.6
Addressing these barriers requires a multi-faceted approach. Subsidizing vaccines and providing financial support can improve access to vaccination services. Educational initiatives are also vital in raising awareness about the benefits of preventive care, helping ensure the long-term value of protecting herds and flocks from disease through vaccination.
Antimicrobial resistance and evolving pathogens
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global concern in the animal industry, where the overuse of antibiotics has led to resistant bacterial strains. This makes it increasingly difficult to treat infections, posing a significant threat to animal and human health. Vaccines offer a sustainable solution by preventing infections without antibiotics, reducing the reliance on antimicrobial treatments. By developing vaccines that target resistant pathogens, the veterinary industry is helping to combat this critical issue and ensure the long-term health of animal populations.
Future vaccine development
Looking ahead, advances in genomic research and biotechnology are shaping the future of veterinary vaccines. These innovations enable the development of more effective, adaptable vaccines that can target specific pathogens with greater precision. For example, mRNA technology, which has been instrumental in developing human vaccines, is now being applied to veterinary science.
mRNA vaccines deliver a genetic blueprint to the cells, enabling them to produce specific proteins that prompt an immune response. Instead of using the virus itself, mRNA vaccines provide the instructions that teach the immune system to recognize and fight the disease effectively. This approach enhances safety, lowers production costs, and allows for more efficient vaccine development.7
The role of peptones in vaccine fermentation
Peptones play a vital role in vaccine production, serving as a nutrient source during the fermentation process. These hydrolyzed proteins provide the essential amino acids, peptides, and growth factors for microorganisms to thrive in controlled environments. During fermentation, microorganisms are grown to produce vaccines that trigger animal immune responses. The quality and composition of peptones used in this process are critical in determining the efficacy of the final product.
Peptones ensure that bacterial cultures grow efficiently, leading to higher yields and more effective vaccines. By carefully selecting the appropriate peptone mix, vaccine manufacturers can optimize the conditions for bacterial fermentation, resulting in high-quality vaccines that protect animals from bacterial infections.
Evaluate your peptone mix for optimal yield
Choosing the optimal peptone mix is crucial for enhancing the yield and effectiveness of bacterial vaccines. There are two primary types of peptones used in vaccine production: animal-derived and plant-derived. Each type offers unique advantages and poses different challenges, depending on the specific needs of the vaccine production process.
- Animal-derived peptones are rich in essential nutrients and provide an ideal environment for organism growth. However, they come with a higher risk of contamination and must be carefully monitored during production.
- Plant-derived peptones offer a lower contamination risk and are more sustainable, making them an attractive option for environmentally conscious producers. However, they may not have a robust enough nutritional profile and may require supplementation.
To maintain high vaccine quality, you must regularly evaluate and adjust your peptone formulations. By tailoring the peptone composition to the specific needs of your target pathogen, you can optimize growth conditions, leading to more effective vaccines that provide superior protection.
Take control of animal health
The veterinary and animal health industry must address the urgent need for effective vaccinations against infections. Careful evaluation of components such as the peptone mix for vaccine fermentation is a crucial step toward developing effective and reliable vaccines.
At Thermo Fisher Scientific, we offer high-quality peptones designed to support optimal vaccine production. Contact us to learn how we can help you optimize your peptone mix and support animal health.
References
- World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Animal Health and Welfare. WOAH. Available from: https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/animal-health-and-welfare/
- World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). One Health Initiative. WOAH. Available from: https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/global-initiatives/one-health/
- HealthforAnimals. Global trends in the animal health sector. HealthforAnimals. Available from: https://healthforanimals.org/animal-health-in-data/parasites-diseases/global-trends-in-the-animal-health-sector/
- HealthforAnimals. How to increase animal vaccination: 80 recommendations. HealthforAnimals. 2019 Sep 23. Available from: https://www.healthforanimals.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/how_to_increase_animal_vaccination_80_recommendations-1.pdf
- Cleveland Clinic. Zoonotic Diseases. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/zoonotic-diseases
- HealthforAnimals. Animal disease and its impact on global agriculture. HealthforAnimals. Available from: https://healthforanimals.org/global-challenges/animal-disease/
- Animal Health Europe. mRNA Vaccines in Animal Health. Connected Health. Available from: https://connectedhealth.animalhealtheurope.eu/prevention/mrna-vaccines/
For Research Use or Further Manufacturing. Not for diagnostic use or direct administration into humans or animals.