AJ Vaccines wins Defra contract to supply badger TB vaccine

Danish pharmaceutical company AJ Vaccines has been awarded the government’s badger vaccination tender, securing a new three-year contract to supply BadgerBCG for England’s expanding bovine TB programme.

The deal, confirmed earlier this month, continues Defra’s long-standing arrangement with the Danish manufacturer, the only organisation licensed to produce BadgerBCG.

The contract underpins the rollout of Defra’s new Badger Vaccination Field Force project, due to begin work next year.

See also: Badger cull winding down, says Defra secretary

The initiative – with funding set at an initial £8m over four years – will see field teams deployed across England to deliver vaccination on farms at no cost to participating landholders.

The government says the scheme is a major step in shifting from culling to large-scale vaccination, but farming groups warn that moving away from culling too quickly could lead to a rise in cattle TB.

A Defra spokesperson said: “Defra is working with AJ Vaccines to support the introduction of a new Badger Vaccination Field Force next year, as part of developing a new, comprehensive bovine TB strategy for England.”

Officials say vaccination is now well-established as an effective tool for controlling TB in badgers, supported by multiple studies and large field programmes.

More than 4,000 badgers were vaccinated in 2024 – a record year – with capacity expected to expand further once the field force is active.

Vaccination push

The government has spent recent years building the infrastructure needed for a national vaccination push, including streamlined licensing, a smartphone reporting app, and support for major delivery projects.

These include the 250sq km farmer-led Vaccinating East Sussex Badgers scheme in East Sussex and the Badger Edge Vaccination Scheme, alongside a newly announced NFU-led project in Cornwall.

BadgerBCG (BCG Danish Strain 1331), supplied by AJ Vaccines, is the only licensed veterinary product approved for use in badgers.

Asked for further comment on the tender, AJ Vaccines told Farmers Weekly: “At the moment we are not able to supply any further information. You are welcome to reach out to us at a later date.”