In 2021, Ceva Santé Animale, in partnership with GALVmed and supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), launched the PREVENT (PRomoting and Enabling Vaccination Efficiently, Now and Tomorrow) initiative. Its mission: to introduce hatchery vaccinations for day-old chicks (DoCs) in mid-size hatcheries across Africa.
By Marie Ducrotoy, Senior Manager Development Projects and Partnerships at Ceva Santé Animale, and Tom Osebe, Senior Manager of Commercial Development & Impact, Africa at GALVmed.
Improving poultry production stands as a beacon for providing affordable protein and vital nutrients to Africa’s burgeoning population. Yet, the constant threat of poultry diseases hinders productivity and industry growth. Despite the efficacy of vaccination in protecting poultry, the African climate’s high temperatures pose challenges for vaccine distribution, often requiring cold storage. This, coupled with a lack of disease information, jeopardizes small-scale producers’ flocks and livelihoods.
PREVENT aimed to empower small-scale poultry producers in Africa, enhancing productivity, efficiency, and industry prospects. Ambitiously, the initiative targeted distributing over 50 million hatchery-vaccinated day-old chicks annually through 36 medium-sized hatcheries across eight African countries, benefiting 150,000 poultry producers.
Three years in, with over a year remaining, PREVENT has exceeded expectations. Thirty-one hatcheries in eleven countries now provide vaccinations to DoCs, benefiting over 100,000 poultry farmers.
Enhanced Immunity, Reduced Mortality
Chickens face numerous infectious diseases that can impair their health and growth. Vaccinating them on the day of hatch with multiple vaccines is crucial. With an average of three doses per vaccinated day-old chick (vDoC), small-scale producers now benefit from a broader vaccination range, enhancing bird quantity and quality. PREVENT has vaccinated over 98 million DoCs, surpassing the initial 56 million target. Unexpectedly, most hatcheries transitioned rapidly to full vaccination, with 91% of produced DoCs now vaccinated.
Additionally, twenty vaccines are registered across West African countries and Nigeria, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Rwanda, providing a diverse range for hatcheries.
Technical Support for Farmers
Vaccination alone isn’t sufficient; training on animal health practices, market development, biosecurity, and management is vital. PREVENT engages over 200 Field Technicians, trained to bridge the gap between hatcheries and producers, offering advice and technical support.
Boosting Poultry Disease Data
The SAFER project within PREVENT collects valuable data on poultry virus circulation, aiding in assessing vaccine effectiveness. This data is crucial for policymakers, hatcheries, and customers for effective disease control.
Understanding Gender Dynamics
To empower women in poultry farming, PREVENT conducts a gender landscaping analysis, shedding light on gender dynamics within the sector, guiding future interventions.
Creating Lasting Market Change
PREVENT has transformed the market, with more farmers embracing vaccinated DoCs for their benefits. Ceva continues to raise awareness among farmers, highlighting the advantages of vaccinated DoCs for improved poultry health, reduced labor, enhanced performance, and increased profits.
