The Australian government has clarified that it does not advocate for the vaccination of livestock with mRNA vaccines and does not believe consuming animal products from vaccinated livestock is unsafe. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry (DAFF) made this statement in response to inquiries prompted by misinformation circulating on the internet. Currently, no mRNA vaccines are authorized for animal use in Australia, and any potential authorization would require regulatory approvals. However, the government acknowledges the promising nature of mRNA vaccine technology and its potential benefits for Australian livestock. DAFF emphasized the importance of a rigorous risk-based assessment before any mRNA veterinary vaccine can be made available.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is developing a regulatory framework to ensure the safety and appropriateness of any new vaccine. This framework will also address concerns about the safety of consuming animal products from vaccinated livestock and the safety of those administering the vaccine. Minister Murray Watt, responsible for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry, emphasized the need for safety in both livestock and humans and stated that labeling requirements for food products from animals injected with mRNA were the responsibility of the APVMA.
The use of mRNA vaccines in livestock is seen as an effective tool in rapid outbreak response, especially in the face of biosecurity threats such as foot and mouth disease and lumpy skin disease. However, there are differing opinions on the necessity of vaccination without an outbreak. While some argue that mRNA vaccines could be instrumental in eradicating diseases and restoring disease freedom status, others believe that Australia’s disease-free status, achieved without vaccination, is more favorable for export markets. The decision to vaccinate animals would depend on the specific outbreak situation, including its size, location, species affected, and considerations of disease spread and animal welfare.