March 21, 2022

Russia to increase domestic production of veterinary vaccines

Russia's Federal Animal Health Center (FGBU VNIIZH), which is under the jurisdiction of Rosselkhoznadzor, has decided to increase the production capacity of the country's own veterinary vaccines.

Rosselkhoznadzor's analysis of the market for vaccines that prevent infectious diseases of farm animals and birds showed that the main foreign suppliers are four companies with production facilities in the United States, Belgium, Mexico, France, the Netherlands and Spain.

Russia has recently been hit severely by sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, many foreign businesses have either suspend their operations in the country or left the Russian market entirely.

Vaccines against infectious diseases of birds dominate in the overall structure of Russian imports. This is followed by vaccines against swine diseases and those against cattle diseases.

In the context of a possible reduction in the number of imported vaccines coming into Russia, the import-substituting capacities of FGBU VNIIZZH, Russia's leading producer of vaccines against foot and mouth disease and other diseases of farm animals, have been studied.

The potential of the institute — if it increases its production volumes — will make it possible to fully or largely replace vaccines against all major diseases in the Russian market. The institute will be able to produce no less than 9.2 billion doses of vaccines for poultry, about 98 million doses of vaccines for pigs and 30 million doses of vaccines for cattle diseases.

Of the total number of imported vaccines, it is more than 100% replacement of cattle vaccines, 75% replacement of pigs vaccines and more than 50% replacement of poultry vaccines.

The use of domestic vaccines is expected to reduce the cost of livestock and poultry production of Russian agricultural producers.

- Rosselkhoznadzor (Russia)