Use of vaccines in sheep

Latest figures on the uptake of sheep vaccinations across the UK between 2012 and 2024.

Summary points for sheep vaccines

Clostridial, pasteurellosis, abortion and footrot vaccines are classed as Category One vaccines in the NOAH Livestock Vaccination Guideline. This means they are the highest priority vaccinations and should be considered as default vaccinations for flocks unless appropriate justifications have been clearly identified by the vet and farmer working together.

Vaccine sales

Many factors contribute to fluctuations in vaccine sales, including changes in the dose regimes along with manufacturing and supply issues.

Sales from wholesalers do not necessarily equate to use in that year. However, it is still useful in estimating the likely level of protection in the target group. 

The total number of sheep vaccine doses sold increased by 3% between 2012 and 2023. This dropped in 2024, with a 4% decrease compared to 2012. In 2024, 34.8 million sheep vaccine doses were sold.

Between 2012 and 2024, the estimated uptake for:

Enzootic abortion vaccination fell by 46%
Footrot vaccines rose by 53%
Toxoplasmosis vaccination rose by 2%

Vaccine uptake report for cattle and sheep

Table 1. Estimated uptake of vaccination (%) for sheep in the UK between 2018–2024

Total doses of vaccine sold	41,708,419	38,690,624	38,538,994	42,955,742	43,784,213	37,424,065	34,772,760
Year	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
Total sheep and lambs	33,780,817	33,579,632	32,697,441	32,957,022	33,066,478	31,802,536	31,016,701
Clostridial vaccines (%)	69	63	63	70	72	65	61
Pasteurellosis vaccines (%)	51	46	46	51	52	48	40
Ewes intended for first time breeding	2,713,993	2,595,366	2,552,302	2,605,537	2,741,381	2,578,041	2,356,785
Toxoplasma vaccines (%)	26	26	31	31	20	29	26
EAE vaccines (%)	41	43	50	50	44	46	23
Total breeding flock 1 year and over	16,285,553	16,035,049	15,369,528	15,624,233	15,779,210	15,437,826	14,881,531
Rams	407,134	412,044	392,741	402,288	389,503	387,438	378,333
Footrot vaccine (%)	13	14	16	19	16	18	17
Lambs under one year old	16,621,119	16,672,431	16,486,294	16,402,810	16,400,862	15,460,380	15,226,363
Total breeding flock 1 year and over	16,285,553	16,035,049	15,369,528	15,624,233	15,779,210	15,437,826	14,881,531
Eligible population 50% lambs and 5% ewes (total breeding flock)	9,124,837	9,137,968	9,011,623	8,982,617	8,989,391	8,502,081	8,357,258
Orf vaccines (%)	32	31	32	32	39	16	24

Vaccine use analysis

The analysis includes does not account for how effectively these vaccines are administered in sheep.  

Alongside other management interventions, the use of vaccinations is an important measure to maintain a healthy flock, prevent disease and use antibiotics responsibly.

Supply chain issues in 2024 impacted enzootic abortion and clostridial vaccines, contributing to decreased uptake when compared to 2023.

Clostridial vaccines in sheep

Clostridial disease is a common cause of sudden death of all ages of sheep in the UK.

Cheap and highly effective multivalent vaccines (targeting more than one bacterial strain) offer protection.

Find out about clostridial vaccines

Pasteurellosis vaccines in sheep

Pasteurellosis is one of the most common causes of death in growing lambs in Great Britain.

There are effective vaccines that offer protection against this disease.

Abortion vaccines in sheep

The control of enzootic abortion was identified as one of three hotspot areas for the reduction of antibiotics in the sheep industry.

There are effective abortion vaccines for the main infectious causes of abortion; the use of these should be discussed with your vet.

Over recent years these vaccines have suffered from supply issues. In September 2025 the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) published a Statement of Intent outlining a framework to tackle this issue.

More information on abortion vaccines

Footrot vaccination in sheep

Lameness is one of the most common and persistent disease problems in sheep flocks, with footrot (caused by Dichelobacter nodosus) being a common infectious cause.

A vaccine is available, which aids in the prevention and treatment of footrot.

Find out more about footrot vaccination

Orf vaccines in sheep

Orf is a common disease caused by a virus which mainly affects lambs. It is also zoonotic and can cause lesions in humans.

Live vaccination is effective in reducing clinical disease on affected farms but should not be used on farms which are free from the virus.

Find out more about orf vaccines

Useful links

Identify, treat and prevent lameness in your flock

Sheep diseases directory