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Hyderabad, India – Highlighting the critical role of veterinary infrastructure in preventing future pandemics, Dr. Vinod K. Paul, Member-Health, NITI Aayog, stressed the urgent need for enhancing diagnostic capabilities, vaccine development, and response mechanisms. Speaking at an event jointly organized by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Indian Immunologicals Limited, and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Dr. Paul emphasized that robust veterinary infrastructure is central to the ‘One Health’ approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health.
Dr. Paul called for the establishment of advanced platforms for the development and production of next-generation animal vaccines to prevent zoonotic disease outbreaks. He underlined the importance of early detection and rapid response to emerging diseases to safeguard both animal and human health.
Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, highlighted the need for increased government spending on animal health. “Improving supply chain and cold chain systems is essential to ensure effective last-mile delivery,” she said.
Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, focused on vaccine security, emphasizing the need for pre-qualification processes to ensure the quality of animal vaccines.
India, a global leader in vaccine manufacturing, plays a pivotal role in the world’s vaccine ecosystem, with over 60% of vaccines produced in the country. Hyderabad, recognized as a vaccine manufacturing hub, hosts more than 50% of India’s vaccine manufacturers.
The event showcased the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying’s ambitious livestock vaccination programme, the largest globally, supported by 100% financial backing from the Central Government. Achievements under the programme include:
- Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD): Over 102 crore vaccinations conducted.
- Brucellosis: 4.23 crore vaccinations.
- Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR): 17.3 crore vaccinations.
- Classical Swine Fever: 0.59 crore vaccinations.
- Lumpy Skin Disease: 26.38 crore vaccinations.
The event also delved into broader aspects of the ‘One Health’ framework, focusing on improving livestock health, strengthening pandemic preparedness, advancing disease surveillance, and integrating emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cell and gene therapy, and streamlined regulatory pathways for vaccine approval.
The discussions underscored the shared responsibility of ensuring animal health as a cornerstone for human health resilience, aiming to foster a sustainable and secure healthcare ecosystem for the future.
