“The Importance of Q Fever Vaccination for Goat Farmers – Rules and Risks”

The annual vaccination against Q fever is mandatory for goat farmers who keep more than 50 animals. The vaccination must take place at least 3 weeks before mating or insemination of the animal and within 12 months of the previous vaccination. Failure to comply with these rules is considered an economic offense within the law and can lead to a fine of 2,500 euros. There is a risk that the moment of vaccination will fall in the lambing season. This is not desirable because of the stress associated with a vaccination.

It is also not practical to move the vaccination time to the period before giving birth, because it is not allowed to vaccinate pregnant animals. If the moment is brought forward even further, there is a risk that the vaccinations will succeed each other too soon. The University Farm Animal Practice strongly advises goat farmers not to forget the vaccination. The NVWA checks whether animals have been vaccinated and whether this has been properly processed in the administration.

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