Vaccination Schedules for Cattle and Small Ruminants

Vaccination is the single most cost-effective intervention available to livestock farmers in Northern Nigeria. A well-timed vaccination programme protects against diseases that can destroy an entire season's productivity in days, for a fraction of what treatment costs after the fact. The challenge is timing. Many vaccines must be administered before the peak disease season, not during it. In Northern Nigeria, the transition into the rainy season (around March to April) is the critical window for several core cattle vaccines, including Haemorrhagic Septicaemia and Black Quarter. Missing this window means farming through the wet season with unprotected animals. For small ruminants, the PPR vaccine should be administered annually, ideally before the dry season movement period when herds mix and disease transmission risk increases. This article presents a practical month-by-month calendar covering core cattle vaccines (HS, BQ, FMD, Anthrax), small ruminant vaccines (PPR, FMD, Contagious Pleuropneumonia), poultry vaccines (Newcastle Disease, Gumboro), and cold chain storage requirements. Every vaccine requires cold chain management. This guide explains what that means for farmers without refrigeration, and exactly what to ask your vet.