Nobilis Ma5 + Clone 30

The vaccine is administered by (coarse) spray, oculonasal use or in the drinking water. Administration by coarse spray or the oculonasal route is the method of choice when vaccinating young birds; fine spray for older birds.

The vaccine is safe to use from 1 day of age onwards.

The optimum time and method of administration depend largely on the local situation.

Where necessary the advice of a veterinary surgeon should be sought.

The vaccine may be delivered as a freeze-dried cake in a glass vial or as freezedried spheres in cups. In case of the product presented in cups, do not use the product if the contents are brownish and stick to the container as this indicates that the integrity of the container has been breached. Each container should be used immediately and completely after opening.

The vials should be opened under water or the content of the cup(s) should be poured into the water. In both cases mix the water containing the vaccine well before use. After reconstitution the suspension looks clear.

Spray method

The vaccine should be dissolved in cool, clean water which is free of iron and chlorine. The appropriate number of vials should be opened under the surface of the water or the content of the cup(s) should be poured into the water. In both cases mix the water containing the vaccine well before use. After reconstitution the suspension looks clear. The spray apparatus should be free from sediments, corrosion and traces of disinfectants (preferably use it for vaccination purposes only). The volume of water for reconstitution should be sufficient to ensure an even distribution when sprayed onto the birds. This will vary according to the age of the birds being vaccinated and the management system. The vaccine medicated water should be spread evenly over the correct number of birds, at a distance of 30 - 40 cm. (12 - 16”), preferably when the birds are sitting together in dim light. The spray apparatus should be free from sediments, corrosion and traces of disinfectants (and ideally should be used for vaccination purposes only). Aerosol generators should be used only when it is known to be safe to the birds.

Oculonasal use

Dissolve the vaccine in Nobilis Diluent Oculo/Nasal or physiological saline solution (usually 30 ml per 1000 doses) and administer by means of a standardised dropper.

One drop should be applied from a height of a few centimeter onto one nostril or eye.

The handler should ensure that the nasal drop is inhaled by the bird.

Drinking water

The vaccine should be given in the early morning as this is the main period of drinking or the cool period on a hot day. When vaccinating larger flocks, it is advisable to start by dissolving only part of the vaccine. If vaccine is administered through a central water supply or a proportioner, great care should be taken. For numbers of birds between standard dosages, the next higher dosage should be chosen.

The vaccine is presented in vials under vacuum. The vials should be opened under water or the content of the cup(s) should be poured into the water. Measure the correct volume of water for the number of birds to be vaccinated (see below), add 20 gram skimmed milk powder or 500 ml liquid skimmed milk per 10 litre, allow to stand for 15-30 minutes, then open the correct number of containers of vaccine under the surface of the water (vials) or into the water (cups). All containers used should be clean and free from any traces of detergent or disinfectant. In both cases mix the water containing the vaccine thoroughly with a clean stirrer, ensuring that all containers used are emptied. After reconstitution the suspension looks clear. Offer to birds immediately and ensure uptake of all the vaccine medicated water in 2 hours.

Use clean cold water, in which chlorine or metals can neither be tasted nor smelled.

Where water sanitisers are used consult Intervet technical staff. Only skimmed milk should be used, as the fat in whole milk may block the automatic drinking systems as well as reduce vaccine virus efficacy.

Volumes of water for reconstitution of vaccine

The volume of water for reconstitution depends on the age of the birds and the management practice.

Simple drinking troughs and fountains

The following are guidelines:

1000 doses / litre/ age in days up to a volume of 20 litre per 1000 doses.

For heavy breeds, or in hot weather, the quantity of water may be increased up to 30 litre per 1000 doses. Where the number of birds is between the standard dosages, the next higher dosage should be used.

Nipple Drinkers

Drinker line management is known to have a significant effect on the viability of live vaccine virus. The vaccine virus can deteriorate very rapidly and it is essential to ensure that all birds received the correct dose.

Special care should be observed concerning the method of administration. For example, small header tanks may require recharging with medicated water several times during a 1 - 2 hour period.

Administration

Water should be withheld before vaccination. For recommendations see below under Management. Ensure that all medicated water is consumed within 1 - 2 hours. Turn on mains water when all the vaccine water has been consumed. Always make sure that there is food available when vaccinating.

Birds will not drink if they have no food to eat.

Management

Great care should be taken to ensure that all birds receive a full dose of vaccine when the product is administered in drinking water. When used in chickens where maternal antibody still exists, the way in which this vaccine is administered is critical.

The following points have been found to improve vaccine “take”:

1. Water withholding should be kept to a minimum, especially in broiler birds. Approximately half an hour is all that is required if the following management techniques are used.

2. Try to vaccinate at a time when birds are likely to be drinking, e.g. morning time for broilers, when food is in the food tracks.

3. Turn the lights down low when the water is turned off. For bell drinkers, go round the house emptying and cleaning the drinkers during the half-hour lights low period. Mix up the vaccine according to the recommendations, and towards the end of the half-hour water withholding period, go round all the drinkers filling each with water containing vaccine. Leave the house and turn the light up. The increased light intensity will stimulate the birds to look for water and food. Therefore, it is important that food is available or the birds will not be interested in drinking. In some cases, it helps to run food tracks at the time the light intensity is increased.

For nipple lines a substantial volume of residual water may remain in the lines after the half-hour water withholding/dark period. It is advisable to drain the lines and prime with vaccine loaded water before allowing the birds to have access to the drinker lines. Mix up the vaccine and apply to the header tank(s). Calculate the volume of water that is left in the tank below the outlet valve and make sure you add extra vaccine to this volume of water. For example, if 10 litre remain below the outlet pipe and you are using 10 litre/1000 birds to vaccinate, add one extra vial of vaccine when mixing up vaccine for that tank. The use of this extra vaccine is important.

4. Once the vaccine has been consumed, resume management practices as normal. This approach to vaccination will ensure a more even vaccination of the crop and will be less stressful to the birds. Performance should therefore be less adversely affected.

For further information on use of a vaccine in specific circumstances or in conjunction with other Intervet vaccines consult Intervet technical staff.