Tanzania will need stronger private sector participation to achieve widespread livestock vaccination coverage and curb diseases that continue to undermine productivity in the livestock sector, a senior government official has said.
Speaking at a Livestock Vaccines and Vaccination Stakeholders Conference in Arusha on June 16, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Dr Charles Mhina, said vaccination remains one of the most effective tools for controlling animal diseases, improving production and strengthening the sector’s contribution to the national economy.
The conference was organised jointly by the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, GALVmed, FAO Tanzania and the Tanzania Animal Health Organisation (TAHO).
Dr Mhina said livestock plays a pivotal role in Tanzania’s economy by supporting food and nutrition security, creating employment, generating household incomes and contributing to exports of animal products.
However, he noted that the sector continues to face significant losses from preventable diseases, including Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis and Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP).
“Effective vaccination and strengthened biosecurity measures remain essential in controlling these diseases and safeguarding livestock productivity,” he said.
According to Dr Mhina, the government has intensified efforts to strengthen animal health systems through policy reforms, improved veterinary services, enhanced disease surveillance and implementation of the National Livestock Vaccination and Identification Programme.
He said the national livestock vaccination campaign launched in the 2025/26 financial year is expected to cost more than Sh216 billion over five years, reflecting the government’s commitment to tackling priority livestock diseases and expanding access to vaccination services across the country.
The conference, held under the theme “Increasing Livestock Vaccine Uptake for Sustainable Animal Health and Productivity Through Private Sector Engagement,” highlighted the growing recognition that government efforts alone may not be sufficient to achieve the desired vaccination coverage.
Dr Mhina said stronger collaboration among vaccine manufacturers, distributors, veterinary professionals, livestock keepers’ associations and development partners would be critical in ensuring vaccines reach farmers in a timely and affordable manner.
“The private sector has a strategic role to play in improving vaccine availability, strengthening distribution networks and increasing adoption among livestock keepers,” he said.
Industry stakeholders attending the conference discussed ways to address barriers to vaccine uptake, including limited awareness, supply chain challenges and access constraints in remote areas.
The meeting also marked the launch of the second phase of the Veterinary Innovation Transforming Animal Health and Livelihoods (VITAL 2) project, implemented by GALVmed.
The project aims to improve the availability, distribution and use of livestock vaccines, while supporting broader efforts to enhance animal health and increase livestock productivity.
Its launch signals renewed commitment by the government and development partners to invest in disease prevention as a means of improving livestock keepers’ livelihoods and unlocking the sector’s economic potential.
As Tanzania seeks to modernise its livestock industry and expand access to regional and international markets, stakeholders say increased vaccination coverage will be essential in reducing disease outbreaks, improving animal health and boosting the sector’s competitiveness.
