The Trust’s dedicated team of volunteers have been growing the vaccination programme across the county for six years so far, with numbers of vaccinations only dipping in 2017 due to a world-wide shortage of the Bovine TB vaccine. 

The Trust are recognised as a national leader in badger vaccination by the Government, and have led on national badger vaccination training programmes in Edale. This season started on Tuesday 11th May 2021 and the Trust have vaccinated 35 badgers already - great news for the county. 

Lead vaccinator Debbie Bailey has said “We are delighted with how 2021 is shaping up and positive that we can vaccinate many more badgers this year. Whilst we await the results from the Government on what the future of the badger cull looks like, we’ll be continuing to vaccinate badgers and proving that vaccination is more effective, cheaper and more humane that the badger cull.”

Vaccinating badgers against bovine TB is an important part of tackling the disease in cattle. The Trust have asked the Government to urgently fast track the transition from culling to badger vaccination: 

1. Stop issuing badger cull licences immediately. This will bring an end to the badger cull sooner than proposed, saving tens of thousands of badgers. 

2. Implement a cattle vaccine. Cattle vaccination offers the best long-term way to reduce bovine TB in the cattle population. 

3. Review how cattle are transported around the country and ensure measures are in place to prevent infection spread from cattle to cattle. 

To read more about the Trust’s work on badger vaccination, please visit: www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/supportcampaign/badger-vaccination