The information on this site is subject to a disclaimer and a copyright notice . However, following first inoculation of the vaccine, it would take some time to have a sufficiently strong immunity. At present 7 strains of the FMD virus exist with around 80 subtypes.
Every vaccination has to target therefore carefully the correct strain.
Third countries which do vaccinate on a preventive basis because FMD is endemic on their territory do regularly see new outbreaks of FMD due to the variability of the virus. Finally, the loss of the EU's non-vaccination status would involve substantial losses in trade to third countries which insist on imports from foot and mouth free countries. The EU could only export products which are treated against the virus. In summary, therefore, the disadvantages of vaccination outweigh the benefits. Nonetheless, this situation will be kept under review.