EN
The article reviews the history, present status and the future of Bluetongue BT vaccines and prophylactic vaccinations against BT in Europe. To date, attenuated (modified live viruses, MLV) and inactivated virus preparations vaccines against BTV serotypes 2 and 4 were developed and used in the field. Moreover, virus-like particles (VLPs) produced from recombinant baculovirus and live recombinant vaccinia or canarypox virus-vectored vaccines were tested in the laboratory. The main aims of BT vaccination strategy are as follows: to prevent clinical disease, the reduction of the spread of the BT virus in the environment and to safeguard the movement of susceptible animals between affected and free zones. The mass vaccinations of all susceptible animals are the most efficient veterinary method to fight against BT and a harmonized strategy for vaccinations in Europe would improve the intra-Community trade of live animals. The amount of BT vaccines needed for the protection of the European livestock exceed 220 million doses, including about 150 million doses of BTV serotype 8. In January 2008, the Intervet International B.V., as the first vaccine producer, has developed a vaccine against BTV serotype 8 for sheep and cattle and declared the delivery of the first quantities of vaccine on the European trade in May 2008. The BT eradication policy combining administrative methods and prophylactic vaccination of all susceptible animals, completed with application of insecticides - pesticides to control Culicoides midges in the environment - is currently the most effective method of fighting against BT.