The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has laid out vaccination approaches aimed at tackling the resurgence of sheep and goat pox (SGP) that has hit Greece and Bulgaria hard. The recent report targets farmers, veterinary authorities, regional governments, and vaccine producers, setting the stage for heated discussions in livestock sectors and public health circles.
Published on 4 February 2026 by EFSA, this scientific report is based on data collected during the 2024-2025 epidemic waves. It is authored by the EFSA’s specialized unit for animal health risk assessments and reflects rigorous analysis of epidemiological data and vaccine performance in the affected regions.
This document is a detailed scientific assessment rather than legislation or policy directive. It evaluates existing SGP vaccines’ efficacy and safety, complemented by model simulations of outbreak spread under various vaccination scenarios. Concrete proposals include advocating for a two-year vaccination campaign combined with existing control measures, projecting eradication timelines and outbreak containment effectiveness.
EFSA’s assessment signals a tilt towards intensifying vaccination efforts as a keystone in epidemic control, favoring nationwide campaigns over regional ones to minimize viral escape risks. This approach emphasizes early detection, rapid culling, and strict movement restrictions alongside vaccination, illustrating a policy shift toward more comprehensive and coordinated intervention measures. The report underlines the tension between strengthening EU-wide disease control strategies versus relying on national or regional controls.
Stakeholder impact is multifaceted: farmers and livestock producers could benefit from reduced disease burden but may face increased operational costs and compliance demands. Vaccine manufacturers might see a market expansion. National veterinary authorities will bear the administrative and logistical load of implementing large-scale vaccination and movement controls. Consumers stand to gain from greater animal health security but may encounter higher prices due to the sector’s increased cost base.
This EFSA report kicks off a potential policy dialogue and implementation phase involving the European Commission, national ministries of agriculture, and regional veterinary agencies. It lays groundwork, but further regulatory or funding decisions lie ahead as stakeholders assess feasibility and economic impacts of the recommended vaccination campaign.