For the active immunisation of sheep as an aid in the control of lamb dysentery, pulpy kidney, struck, tetanus, braxy, blackleg, black disease, clostridial metritis caused by Clostridium perfringens types B, C and D, Cl. septicum, Cl. novyi, Cl. chauvoei and Cl. tetani.

The vaccine may be used as an aid in the control of pneumonic pasteurellosis in sheep of all ages from a minimum age of 3 weeks and in the control of systemic pasteurellosis in weaned fattening and breeding sheep.

The vaccine may be used in pregnant ewes as an aid in the control of lamb dysentery, pulpy kidney, tetanus and pasteurellosis in their lambs provided that the lambs receive sufficient immune colostrum during the first 1-2 days of life.

Onset of immunity: As with most inactivated vaccines, significant levels of immunity cannot be expected until 2 weeks after the second dose of vaccine in the primary vaccination course.

Duration of immunity: Evidence of efficacy of the Pasteurella/Mannheimia component of this vaccine was generated in an experimental infection model and it is not possible to provide duration of immunity information using this system. There are reports that active immunity will last for up to 1 year and that passive immunity will persist for up to 4 weeks after birth in lambs from ewes vaccinated with conventional Pasteurella vaccines.

Dose to be administered and administration route

The vaccine should be administered by subcutaneous injection in the lateral side of the upper neck observing aseptic precautions. Syringes and needles should be sterile before use and the injection should be made through an area of clean, dry skin taking precautions against contamination.

All breeding sheep not previously vaccinated with this vaccine must receive two injections, each of 2.0 ml, separated by an interval of 4-6 weeks. Thereafter they must receive booster injections at intervals of not more than 12 months. In adult breeding ewes these yearly booster injections should be given during the prelambing period, 4-6 weeks pre-lambing, as an aid in control of disease in their lambs.

On farms where the incidence of pasteurellosis is high, a supplementary booster injection using a Pasteurella vaccine may be required 2-3 weeks prior to expected seasonal outbreaks.

This vaccine should not be used in lambs less than 3 weeks of age due to the possible immunological incompetence of the very young lamb and competition from any maternally derived colostral antibodies. Lambs being retained for fattening or subsequent breeding will require a full course of vaccination. At a minimum age of 3 weeks these lambs should receive two injections, each of 2.0 ml, separated by an interval of 4-6 weeks. It should be noted that this vaccine is the recommended vaccine for breeding stock since it provides optimal aid in the control of the predominant clostridial diseases in adult sheep by active immunisation and in young lambs by passive immunisation.

The vaccine bottle must be shaken well before use. The use of automatic vaccination equipment is recommended. Since the bottle is non-collapsible, a vaccinator with a vented draw-off spike or similar device must be used. The instructions supplied with such equipment should be noted and care should be taken to ensure the delivery of the full dose, particularly with the final few doses from the bottle.

Strict precautions should be taken against contamination of the vaccine. A fresh sterile needle must be used each time the rubber cap is punctured, to avoid contamination of the remaining contents. Syringes and needles must be from gamma irradiated packs or freshly sterilised by boiling for at least 20 minutes.

This vaccine has been developed following research and development which resulted in the application of Plus ‘IRP’ technology for the manufacture of the Pasteurella/Mannheimia components of this vaccine. The inclusion of these IRP components should provide enhanced efficacy and cross protection e.g. protection against serotype A12, which is not included in the vaccine, has been demonstrated. Studies on the response of sheep to this vaccine show that two injections separated by an interval of 4-6 weeks are required to gain the full benefit of the ‘IRP’.

Adverse reactions

Sheep:

Common

(1 to 10 animals / 100 animals treated):

Injection site reaction¹.

Very rare

(<1 animal / 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports):

Hypersensitivity reaction, anaphylaxis².

¹ Small and transient. Usually characterised by swelling. May be present for up to 3-4 months post-vaccination.

² Sometimes fatal. If such reaction occurs, appropriate treatment should be administered without delay.

Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to either the marketing authorisation holder or its local representative or the national competent authority via the national reporting system. See the package leaflet for respective contact details.