Following the emergence of bluetongue (BTV-2) in the island of Corsica (France) in 2000, annual vaccination campaigns were conducted between 2001 and 2003. Only the ovine population was vaccinated with the South African BTV-2 live attenuated vaccine. Despite the vaccination campaign, outbreaks were reported from several areas in 2001. No more outbreaks occurred in 2002, but viral circulation was revealed in different areas of the island through serological conversion in sentinel cattle. This appeared to be associated with an insufficient level of vaccination. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2001: around 60°h of the vaccinated sheep had antibodies. In 2002, the estimation of the level of vaccination was close to 90%. The prevalence in the other ruminant populations (mainly bovine) was estimated at 50% for the whole Island. Finally, the overall coverage - taking into account the census data - was estimated at 70% (+/- 5%). The immune coverage was probably not regularly distributed across the Island and could explain the occurrence of viral circulation in various areas. A key element of the success of vaccination campaigns is the cooperation of farmers. Efficacy of the vaccination and the absence, or a low level of side effects, are then necessary. The efficacy of the vaccination is described based on experimental animals and field studies. In the literature, some attenuated bluetongue vaccine strains were shown to cause abortion or to be teratogenic in sheep when administered during the first half of pregnancy. Corsican farmers (mainly sheep breeders) reported a decrease in ram fertility. However, no quantitative studies have been done to assess these negative side-effects. Using published and available data, the strategies of vaccination in Mediterranean islands are examined and compared with the Corsican one. Four main strategies for vaccination have been identified: the prevention of the establishment of BT in an area, the reduction of the number of clini