Recombinant attenuated Y. pseudotuberculosis mutants have been created that show efficacy as oral vaccines against plague caused by Y. pestis and Yersinosis caused by both Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis. Thus, live attenuated Y. pseudotuberculosis-based vaccines can be used to prevent Yersinosis in farm animals such as swine, cattle and sheep. The palatable baits containing live attenuated Y. pseudotuberculosis-based vaccines may be acceptable methods to control plague epidemics in wild animals. The methods disclosed can also be used to generate recombinant attenuated Y. entercolitica and Y. pestis vaccine strains.