February 27, 2025 – Agriculture during the winter is full of challenges and harsh realities. Hopkins County has traditionally maintained a strong dairy and beef production all year long but the winter is particularly challenging since weather conditions are many times less than ideal for ranching. Also, producers can see the short-commings of the preparations for the winter when disease or mortality occurs. Hay becomes scarce and sometimes expensive. It is during the harsh winter when ranchers hesitate specialy when mortalities occurs. For some farmers, one cow loss is too many. Disease prevention is one of those steps that is hard to evaluate since usually happens when animals are healthy. Vaccination is the most important technology available during disease prevention.
What Are Vaccines and How Do They Work?: Vaccines are biological products designed to protect humans and animals from infectious diseases. They work by stimulating the immune system to recognize and respond to specific pathogens, such as viruses or bacteria, without causing the actual disease. Vaccination is one of the most effective methods for preventing illness in both humans and livestock, playing a crucial role in public health and agricultural management. When a vaccine is administered, it introduces an antigen—an inactivated, weakened, or fragment of a pathogen—into the body. The immune system detects this foreign substance and begins producing antibodies, which are proteins designed to neutralize the pathogen. Additionally, the immune system creates memory cells that remain in the body for an extended period. If the vaccinated individual is later exposed to the actual disease, these memory cells quickly recognize the pathogen and trigger a rapid immune response, preventing illness or reducing its severity.
Types of Vaccines
Live Attenuated Vaccines – Contain weakened versions of a virus or bacteria that do not cause disease but still stimulate a strong immune response.
Inactivated Vaccines – Use killed pathogens to safely build immunity.
Subunit, Recombinant, or Toxoid Vaccines – Contain only specific parts of the pathogen, such as proteins or toxins, to trigger immunity without using the whole organism.
mRNA and DNA Vaccines – Introduce genetic instructions for the body to produce a harmless part of the pathogen, prompting an immune response.
Importance in Human and Animal Health: Vaccination is essential for preventing the spread of contagious diseases. In humans, vaccines protect against illnesses like measles, polio, and influenza. In agriculture, vaccines help safeguard livestock and poultry from diseases such as brucellosis, rabies, and bovine respiratory disease, improving herd health and food production. Vaccines are a critical tool in disease prevention, reducing illness and death while minimizing the need for antibiotics. Whether in human healthcare or animal agriculture, vaccines play a key role in maintaining public and economic health. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides research-based guidance on vaccination strategies to help farmers, veterinarians, and the public make informed decisions about disease prevention. For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
