Vaccination, one of the greatest scientific achievements according to veterinary leaders, is the selected theme for this year’s World Veterinary Day, to be celebrated on Saturday 27 April.

Vaccination of animals helps people to protect their livestock and their companion animals, as well as themselves in case of zoonotic diseases, says the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). A successful vaccination programme depends mainly on the use of high quality vaccines, appropriate infrastructure to ensure the rapid and safe delivery of vaccines, monitoring of vaccinated flocks, movement control of animals, and adequate financial resources. The veterinary profession, through effective and efficient veterinary services is crucial for the success of vaccination in animal health.

The Day was instigated by the World Veterinary Association and OIE to reward the most successful celebration of the veterinary profession by national veterinary associations, alone, or in cooperation with any other selected body.

The winner of the 2013 Award will be announced at the opening ceremony of the OIE’s 81st General Session to be held in Paris, France on 26 May 2013. The winner will be invited to the World Veterinary Congress 17-20 September in Prague in the Czech Republic to receive the US$1,000 prize.

For more information visit www.oie.int