Surveying UK sheep farmers' vaccination techniques and the impact of vaccination training.

Background: Vaccines are commonly used in sheep farming. However, compliance with vaccination protocols and subsequent suboptimal vaccination techniques are concerns in the industry.

Methods: An online survey containing 31 questions encompassing vaccination storage, technique and training was distributed to UK sheep farmers. Respondents were asked to mark on a sheep diagram where they would administer intramuscular (IM), intradermal, and subcutaneous (SC) vaccines.

Results: Of 370 respondents, only 26.1% identified the correct location for SC, 38.0% for intradermal, and 7.7% for IM vaccination. Almost half (45.5%) stored their vaccines in a fridge specific to veterinary medicines, only 33.9% used a temperature logger, and 6.4% checked their fridge temperature daily. Almost half (45.5%) kept their vaccines 48 hours or longer after broaching, and 11.1% kept them until the next time. Significantly more respondents who had received training correctly identified the location for IM vaccination (p < 0.01). However, training had no significant influence on the the correct identification of the other vaccination sites, vaccine storage or administration.

Conclusion: Suboptimal vaccination techniques are not due to unwillingness to learn; 83.8% responded that they would consider taking a course to improve their use. However, the majority (73.9%) were unaware of the training courses available. Therefore, the industry needs to respond and promote courses.