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<p>Evidence indicates that vaccination reduces disease burden in the badger population,
with field trials showing that vaccinated badgers were at least 54% (and up to 76%)
less likely to test positive for TB. The same field trial found that when more than
a third of the social group was vaccinated, infection risk to unvaccinated cubs reduced
by 79% (Carter et al 2012 [1]).</p><p> </p><p>Both modelling in a post-cull environment
in England (Smith GC & Budgey R, 2021 [2]), and evidence from Ireland (Martin
SW, et al. 2020 [3]), suggests that vaccination following culling should help maintain
reductions in cattle TB incidence. In a trial of badger vaccination in Ireland, vaccination
was found to be as effective as long-term continuous culling in lowering cattle TB
incidence in four of the seven counties studied, which led to a policy change to gradually
replace culling with vaccination.</p><p> </p><p>Logically, as badgers cause a proportion
of cattle breakdowns and badger vaccination has been proven to reduce the disease
burden in badgers, vaccination is expected to result in a reduction in cattle TB incidence
where badgers are infecting cattle. However, there has been no trial in England to
assess the magnitude or timing of these effects. Accordingly, we are developing a
surveillance and monitoring system that will allow us to monitor levels of disease
in wildlife and cattle. This will enable government and industry to be more agile
in tackling the disease.</p><p> </p><p>Badger culling would remain an option where
epidemiological assessment indicates that it is needed.</p><p> </p><p>[1] <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0049833"
target="_blank">https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0049833</a></p><p>[2]
<a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248426" target="_blank">https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248426</a>.</p><p>[3]
<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.105004" target="_blank">https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.105004</a>.</p>
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