GALVmed Launches VITAL 2 to Boost Ruminant Vaccination in Africa

The Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines (GALVmed) has launched a new five-year programme, VITAL 2, aimed at improving ruminant vaccination rates in Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria.

Building on the success of the original VITAL initiative, VITAL 2 will address persistently low vaccination coverage among cattle, sheep, and goats—animals vital to food security and livelihoods across sub-Saharan Africa. The programme will use private sector-driven models to expand access to high-quality vaccines, complementing national vaccination strategies and supporting small-scale livestock producers (SSPs).

VITAL 2 will focus on three key areas: enabling a supportive vaccine market environment, strengthening private sector vaccine supply chains, and advancing the development of multivalent ruminant vaccines. These efforts aim to reduce disease-related livestock losses, which currently account for up to 20% of global livestock deaths, with a disproportionate impact in Africa.

“VITAL 2 is about scaling up access to affordable, effective vaccines for the millions of small-scale producers who are the backbone of African agriculture,” said Dr Carolin Schumacher, GALVmed CEO.

The programme is expected to serve millions of SSPs, helping unlock the full potential of livestock to drive economic growth and food security.

More information on GALVmed website: GALVmed announces a new programme to tackle low coverage of ruminant vaccination across Africa – GALVmed