EN
The article reviews the history, present status and the future of foot and mouth disease (FMD) vaccine banks in Europe. FMD vaccine banks are those holding reserves of fully formulated and tested vaccines ready for use, and those holding reserves of tested inactivated and concentrated antigen that can be formulated into vaccine. There are essentially four types of FMD vaccine banks in Europe: the International Vaccine Bank (IVB), the European Union Vaccine Bank (EUVB), the All Russian Research Institute for Animal Health (ARRIAH) Vaccine Bank and twelve National Government Vaccine Banks (NGVB). The establishing of these banks, their current location, consistent FMD virus serotypes and strains, as well as their utilization have been summarized. The most recent recommendations on FMD virus strains to be included in FMD vaccines banks, based on current epidemiological intelligence, have been presented. The turnover and replacement of banked antigen is necessary due to changes of FMD epidemiological situation. In an era of increasing global risk of the spread of FMD, vaccine banks will have a strategic role in the control and eradication of FMD.