Australian Veterinary Association has appealed to the Government to withdraw its decision of vaccinating against the equine influenza (EI) virus.

The veterinary body is opposing the vaccination as there no is urgency and no outbreak of the disease. The body has commented on Government's decision, calling it unjustified on scientific, economic or practical grounds, and not practical enough to be implemented.

Dr. Mark Lawrie said, "All inquiries into vaccination against EI have indicated that it is an expensive option, which would have a negative impact on the way that the Australian horse industry operates. The government's approach won't prevent an outbreak and it won't save jobs. If there is an outbreak, vaccination will only delay detection".

The cost of the mass vaccine has been reported to be around $1 billion, another threat that it poses is of the risk of the condition becoming widespread. It is believed that the cost of vaccine will be more than the cost of prevention or eradication by 10 percent.

The considerable number of vaccinated horses speeds up the probability of an endemic, which will remain undetectable at the sub-clinical level. If the virus enters the local horse population, it will be out of control as the contamination rate will be more.