Washington State University (WSU) is spearheading a $35 million initiative funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to improve animal vaccine delivery in Kenya, Tanzania, and Nepal. Over the next five years, WSU’s new Feed the Future Veterinary Vaccine Delivery Innovation Lab will focus on advancing vaccines for livestock diseases affecting cattle, sheep, goats, and chickens in these regions.
The program, led by WSU veterinary professor Felix Lankester, aims to boost the health and economic well-being of livestock-dependent communities. “Livestock play a crucial role in the livelihoods of people in lower- and middle-income countries,” Lankester said. “By improving animal health, we can enhance household health and food security.”
WSU’s lab will collaborate with nine universities across the target countries and a team of 30 experts. One priority is developing heat-stable vaccines, which would improve accessibility in areas without reliable refrigeration. The initiative will also explore multi-disease vaccines, single-dose formulations, and microneedle patches that release vaccines gradually.
Additionally, the program will encourage local investment and government support for veterinary services. Principal investigator Thumbi Mwangi noted, “We aim to provide evidence for decisions by governments and the private sector that will enhance resilience, nutrition, and opportunities for livestock-reliant communities.”
This initiative could have a global impact by increasing the availability and accessibility of vaccines for livestock in lower- to middle-income regions, benefiting both animals and communities.
