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Reports and Press Releases

Abstract of the published paper in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B - Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccination reduces the severity and progression of tuberculosis in badgers

Defra reports regarding badger vaccination - please view the "Research" section on this page

Badger vaccine deployment project

The Badger Vaccine Deployment Project involves trapping and vaccinating badgers (using intra-muscular injection of BCG) in a 100km2 area near Stroud in Gloucestershire.

The primary aims of vaccinating badgers in the Stroud area are to maintain Fera's capability to vaccinate badgers, and to provide training for others who may wish to apply for a license to do so. The Government are considering vaccination along with culling as components of a package of measures to address the TB issue.

Further information about the Cage Trapping and Vaccination of Badgers Training Course, including 2012 course dates, is available now.

Latest News

  • Training Course Update: For members of Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations, Defra are providing funds to cover 50% of the cost of becoming an accredited and certified lay vaccinator. Please click here for further details
  • In 2010, we vaccinated 541 badgers across 93 premises, covering approximately 9000 ha of land. This has been followed by another very successful field season in 2011, when 628 badgers were vaccinated across 86 premises covering 8400 ha
  • Over the two field seasons, 73 lay vaccinators have been trained on our Cage Trapping and Vaccination of Badgers course. Dates for the 2012 courses are now available, click here for more information
  • Fera are vaccinating badgers for the National Trust on their Killerton Estate in Devon, click here to read the press release
  • Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is initiating its own programme vaccinating the resident badgers on some of their reserves - click here for more information

More information

For guidance on licensing to trap and vaccinate badgers, please see the links below: