April 21, 2023

Livestock Vaccine Innovation Fund underscores vaccines' importance on World Animal Vaccination Day

The Livestock Vaccine Innovation Fund (LVIF) of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) recently highlighted the importance of vaccines in protecting livestock and promoting sustainable agriculture on World Animal Vaccination Day on April 20, IDRC said.

LVIF encourages governments, donors, and other stakeholders to prioritise investment in livestock vaccination to improve the health and productivity of livestock and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. It is also playing a leading role in promoting access to affordable vaccines for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

LVIF is addressing challenges through partnerships to develop novel vaccines that are affordable, effective and acceptable for smallholder livestock farmers. Additionally, it prioritises gender equity in livestock vaccination, recognising that women play a key role in livestock management and are often the primary caregivers for livestock.

LVIF is a seven-year, C$57 million (US$42.2 million) partnership initiative of the IDRC, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Global Affairs Canada that aims to develop vaccines against deadly livestock diseases that have the greatest impact on livestock health and smallholder farmers' livelihoods in low to middle income countries.

- IDRC