Drone Delivery of FMD Vaccine in India
Pashudhan Praharee, 15 Nov 2022
The drone aviation sector in India has been doing phenomenal growth. It has recently shown its potential for service by delivering the FMD vaccine in a remote, difficult-to-reach area of Arunachal Pradesh. Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) a vaccine maker on the 13th, said it had transported the FMD vaccine through the use of drones for the “first time in the world”.
As per a press release from IIL, with the support from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Arunachal Pradesh government’s Agriculture and Animal Husbandry department and drone service provider, a maiden drone flight from Roing to Paghlam in the Northeastern state delivered as many as 1,000 doses of Raksha Ovac (FMD) vaccine covering an aerial distance of over 20 km.
Drone delivery of vaccines is expected to not only reach remote rugged terrains faster but also help in providing critical vaccines on time for the protection of livestock from several diseases.
Animal Husbandry Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Tage Taki, Union Animal Husbandry Joint Secretary Upamanya Basu, and others were present, along with IIL’s representatives.
Dr K Anand Kumar, Managing Director, IIL, expressed hope for technological intervention in making vaccines available to remote locations in the country.
