The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association responded Wednesday to rumors circulating social media about mRNA vaccines. Various posts claimed the cattle industry will soon be administering cows with mRNA vaccines in an effort to vaccinate humans against Covid-19 through the consumption of milk and beef.
In a statement to RFD-TV, NCBA said, “There are no current mRNA vaccines licensed for use in beef cattle in the United States. Cattle farmers and ranchers do vaccinate cattle to treat and prevent many diseases, but presently none of these vaccines include mRNA technology.”
Hunter Ihrman, NCBA’s Director of Policy Communications, gave us additional information from the group’s veterinarian. They include:
- Research on mRNA vaccines for use in livestock has been ongoing for more than a decade, which suggests that at some point mRNA vaccines may be available for use in U.S. cattle. However, this will not happen before there has been sufficient research and significant layers of government review and approval.
- Modified-live vaccines containing RNA from viruses such as bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), rotavirus, and coronavirus have been licensed and used by U.S. producers for many years.
- No vaccines currently licensed in the U.S. for administration to cattle were produced using mRNA technology.
- Currently there are no mRNA vaccines licensed for use in cattle in the U.S. New prescription vaccines in swine can use RNA of specific viruses, which is similar to mRNA vaccines, but not exactly the same.
- Regardless of the vaccine technology, the components of vaccines are ‘digested’ or broken down by immune cells after they are given so the components do not persist in animal tissues for long periods of time.
- Following the withdrawal times on vaccine labels helps to ensure that meat from vaccinated animals is safe to consume.
