The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) says it welcomes the recommendations made by the Queensland parliament’s inquiry into the Hendra virus vaccine.

Nathan Anthony, BVSc (Hons) MANZCVSc, president of the Equine Veterinarians Australia, a special interest group of the AVA, said the inquiry determined that the Hendra vaccine is safe and effective after considering all the evidence.

“Hendra kills and we congratulate the Agriculture and Environment Committee for acknowledging that Hendra represents a real risk and that the most effective option for preventing horse and human deaths from the virus is by horse vaccination,” he said. “We have said all along that animal welfare, workplace health and safety and public safety are shared responsibilities where vets, government agencies and horse owners all have a role to play. So we’re particularly pleased that the report recommends that the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries mounts a campaign to promote the Hendra vaccine to horse owners and equestrian groups as a way of minimizing the risk of Hendra infection.”

“The committee’s recommendation for shorter turnaround times for exclusion testing will result in better horse welfare outcomes, and this was something we have been seeking for some time,” he added