A Conclave on Pandemic Preparedness & Vaccine Innovation was held in Hyderabad on January 10, 2025, organized by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying) in collaboration with Indian Immunologicals Limited and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
Strengthening Veterinary Infrastructure Key to Pandemic Preparedness
Prof. Dr. Vinod K Paul, Member-Health, NITI Aayog, inaugurated the conclave and emphasized the critical need to bolster veterinary infrastructure to effectively combat future pandemics. He highlighted the importance of:
- Enhancing diagnostic capabilities for early disease detection and rapid response.
- Establishing advanced platforms for developing and producing next-generation animal vaccines to prevent zoonotic disease spillover.
- Adopting a “One Health” approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
Other Key Speakers and Focus Areas
The Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, called for increased investment in animal health to improve productivity and enhance supply chain and cold chain systems for effective last-mile delivery of vaccines.
The Animal Husbandry Commissioner, stressed the importance of ensuring vaccine security and pre-qualification for animal vaccines.
The conclave addressed various aspects of the “One Health” approach, including:
- Enhancing vaccination programs and improving livestock health.
- Building resilient supply chains for pandemic preparedness.
- Strengthening pandemic response mechanisms.
- Advancing disease surveillance techniques.
- Streamlining vaccine testing and regulatory approval pathways.
- Exploring the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare and the development of cell and gene therapy vaccines.
The event saw participation from various stakeholders, including government officials, vaccine industry representatives, healthcare experts, and members of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).
India’s Role as a Global Vaccine Hub
The conclave highlighted India’s position as a global vaccine manufacturing hub, producing over 60% of the world’s vaccines, with over half of the manufacturers based in Hyderabad. The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying is implementing large-scale livestock vaccination programs with full central government funding. These programs target diseases such as Foot & Mouth Disease, Brucellosis, Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Classical Swine Fever, and Lumpy Skin Disease. Each vaccinated animal is assigned a unique identification number (UID) tracked through the Bharat Pashudhan (National Digital Livestock Mission), ensuring traceability and monitoring of vaccination schedules. These programs have significantly reduced the incidence of major livestock diseases in India.
