Impact of COVID-19 on Veterinary Vaccines in Healthcare Industry

The animal health sector has witnessed significant developments over the past couple of years due to technological developments and efforts in Research and developments in veterinary sciences. One of the essential developments is antigen location using multiple bioinformatics methods and has been effectively used to immunize against various veterinary illnesses. Vaccines are a helpful to use way to protect animals against a variety of diseases. Vaccinology has produced several potent vaccinations that have significantly decreased the burden of certain severe illnesses in companion animals and cattle. Most approved veterinary vaccinations are available in live attenuated, killed/inactivated microorganisms, cell membrane compounds, or toxoids.
The recent COVID-19 has an adverse the veterinary vaccines market as many animal drugs and vaccines were approved for human use. Animals infected with the virus have been reported all around the world. The majority of these animals, including a small number of domestic cats and dogs, got infected after coming into contact with people who had COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 may infect companion animals like cats and dogs, large cats in zoos or sanctuaries, gorillas in zoos, mink on farms, and a few other mammals, but all of the species that can be infected in not been researched. Hence, the veterinary vaccines market is expected to play a vital role amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

IMPACT ON PRICE
The veterinary services and vaccines prices were impacted due to COVID-19 up to some extent. Factors responsible for it were access to farming inputs, such as animal feed, livestock movements for pasture and water, animal equipment vaccinations, and other critical production inputs. Appeals to stay at home and social distance have had an impact on the pricing of veterinary vaccines.
There been a whirlwind past months due to the emergence of COVID-19. The sale of some companies experienced a downfall while others managed to stay afloat.
FOR INSTANCE,
Common illness transmitted between species includes swine flu (H1N1), anthrax, and West Nile virus, to name a few. With more than 94.7 million cattle in the U.S. as of 2019 and more than 74.6 million pigs, the risk of zoonotic diseases transmitting to humans is a risk. It had an increase in prices for the veterinary vaccines

IMPACT ON DEMAND
The novel COVID-19 outbreak has led to a considerable rise in the demand for the veterinary vaccine. Veterinary offices worldwide made significant adjustments to guarantee that animals and livestock receive necessary veterinary care and that new safety procedures are in place to safeguard animals and veterinarians.
As COVID-19 spread rapidly across the world and healthcare infrastructure became overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases. Coronaviruses can infect various domestic animals, including dogs, cats, cattle, pigs, and poultry. Routine vaccination can prevent many of these diseases. Vaccines against the canine coronavirus were in demand to protect puppies, although the illness is mild and self-limiting.
In response to the surge in demand for veterinary vaccines, many veterinary producing companies were directed for the human COVID 19 vaccine, which impacted the production of veterinary vaccines.
FOR INSTANCE-
• In May 2021, Amid a shortage of COVID-19 vaccines as the country faces the second wave of infections, Bengaluru-based Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals (IAH&VB) has offered to provide its state-of-the-art vaccine production facility to produce the vaccines

IMPACT ON SUPPLY CHAIN
The government throughout the globe imposed total lockdown, which led to supply chain disruptions. Consequently, the supply chain came to a standstill due to the closure of borders. Even though the demand for these devices was high, the availability was affected due to disruptions in the supply chain, trade, and travel restrictions. Supply of raw material was also affected, due to which the production was restricted.
Veterinary services, such as routine vaccinations and testing and diagnostic instruments, were short supply for many farmers. As a result, animal illness control has emerged a new task that coincides with animal welfare concerns. However, the impact of COVID-19 on animal healthcare operations is not limited to the farm level; there are also national and international limitations. Due to funding constraints, several national and international animal health care programs/projects have been postponed or discontinued, limiting the success of disease elimination due to COVID 19.
Several companies working on veterinary vaccines have indicated that the reductions in fluidity and foreign exchange were other significant factors affecting the sustainability of the livestock supply chain, specifically in developing countries during the pandemic.
FOR INSTANCE:
• The E.U. Executive Steering Group on Shortages of Medicines Caused by Major Events has provided strategic leadership for urgent and coordinated action to prevent and mitigate supply disruption during the pandemic
The European Commission chairs the steering group. It consists of representatives of EMA, the European Commission, Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA) and the Coordination groups for Mutual Recognition and Decentralised Procedures for human and veterinary medicines (CMDh and CMDv), as well as risk communication specialists

PERSPECTIVE AND INITIATIVES:
As the reality of COVID-19 dawned upon the world, the manufacturers and production units of companies involved in veterinary vaccines manufacturing industries and governments had various perspective and initiatives taken regarding the market.
FOR INSTANCE:
• In July 2021, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation El Sayed El Quseir discussed investment in the production of veterinary vaccines and serums with Dr. Chris Nelson, Management Advisor of the Egyptian-American Middle East for Veterinary Vaccines (MEVAC) pharmaceutical company and President and CEO of the U.S. Kemin Industries
• In July 2021, Zoetis donated more than 11,000 doses of its experimental COVID-19 vaccine to help protect the health and well-being of more than 100 mammalian species living in nearly 70 zoos, as well as more than a dozen conservatories, sanctuaries, academic institutions, and government organizations located in 27 states in new jersey

CONCLUSION
COVID-19 has impacted each sector with no exception. The veterinary vaccines market has been affected the same. With rising awareness around of vaccination against cattle diseases and improved health facilities for animal husbandry, there is a rise in demand for veterinary vaccines up to some extent. However, in the crisis call veterinary vaccine manufacturers, key players, government bodies, and healthcare organizations are working closely with healthcare professionals, customers, and patients for the betterment of animal health.
Moreover, animal drugs and vaccines were approved for human use. Animals infected with the virus have been reported all around the world. Also, veterinary vaccine manufacturing facilities were used for production of human COVID vaccines around the worked. This is expected to impact the market for veterinary vaccines up to some extent.