More than 415,000 reindeer, or 76 percent, have been vaccinated against anthrax in Yamal. Vaccination efforts have already finished in the Krasnoselkupsky and Purovsky districts, and now veterinary teams are working in the Priuralsky, Yamal and Tazovsky districts.

More than half a million animals are expected to receive the vaccine this year.

“Vaccination in reindeer husbandry is carried out on an expeditionary basis. The process of working in the tundra depends on weather conditions. Now veterinary activities are proceeding as usual, but sometimes the work of veterinarians is complicated by gusty winds with rain. In previous periods, we vaccinated between 82 and 85% of all livestock. This percentage is considered sufficient to stop the development of an epizootic process, that is, a recurrence of an outbreak. We are already approaching these indicators. We hope that the vaccination efforts will be completed in the area by the end of September,” said Yevgeny Popov, the chief veterinarian of Yamal.

He also noted that the reindeer are getting vaccinated and tagged at the same time. This year, more than 84,000 reindeer have been tagged, and the work is still going on. Municipal districts are assigned a numerical index on the tag, and each deer is given a unique number. Identification makes available the personal data of an animal: gender, age, owner and vaccination information. Animal counts are very important when planning anti-epizootic campaigns, stopping the spread of epizootics, as well as for receiving support from farms in case of unforeseen circumstances. The tagging procedure is free of charge. For the convenience of reindeer herders, vets do it at the same time as vaccination and other preventive measures. Over three years, more than 293,000 deer have been tagged in Yamal.

“Since the last cull, only vaccinated animals with individual tags are allowed to be slaughtered. In order to confirm the veterinary and sanitary safety of reindeer products, it is necessary to know their exact origin. We make this information widely known not only to commodity producers but also to every reindeer herder,” added Popov.