“Providing both reproductive protection for cows and respiratory protection to calves is critical to an effective herd health program,” says Rick Sibbel, company director of beef technical services. “The nursing calf claim allows producers to vaccinate calves pre-weaning for respiratory diseases, and the pregnant cow claim offers producers an alternative vaccination option when cattle aren’t handled pre-breeding – the recommended time to vaccinate for complete fetal protection.

“Cattle that are protected from reproductive disease have higher conception rates, fewer abortions, higher calving percentages and healthier calves. Long-term effects of BRD include a negative impact on growth, reproductive performance, milk production and longevity.”

The USDA approval for the vaccine line includes the following label additions:

  • The cows or heifers being vaccinated should be vaccinated prior to breeding, within the previous 12 months, with any of the vaccines in this product line.
  • Fetal health risks associated with vaccination of a pregnant animal with MLV vaccines cannot be unequivocally determined by clinical trials conducted for licensure.
  • Management strategies based on vaccination of pregnant animals with MLV vaccines should always be discussed with a veterinarian.

The vaccines were first approved for use in 2005 and protect beef and dairy cattle from Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis, Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD Types 1 and 2), Parainfluenza3, Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus, leptospirosis, vibriosis, Pasteurella multocida and Mannheimia haemolytica.

The vaccines are available in six different antigen presentations. Unique features of the vaccine line include:

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  • One-dose reproductive protection: The only vaccines (Vista 5 L5 SQ and Vista 5 VL5 SQ) with one-dose L. hardjo-bovis protection in combination with five-way MLV and five-way Leptospira protection, including against L. borgpetersenii serovar hardjo-bovis – providing both the convenience of one dose and comprehensive reproductive protection.
  • Complete fetal protection: The only vaccine labeled for BVD Types 1 and 2 protection for both persistent infection, for less than 120 days of gestation, and for fetal (or congenital) infection, after 120 days of gestation – providing protection throughout the entire pregnancy.
  • Unique respiratory protection: The only avirulent-live culture Pasteurella multocida and Mannheimia haemolytica vaccine (Vista Once SQ) – providing dual bacterial BRD protection in combination with a five-way MLV. The pregnant cow/nursing calf label claim does not apply to the Vista Once combination.


The company says producers should work with their veterinarian to design a vaccination management program to meet the specific needs of their herd.  end mark

—From Merck Animal Health news release

PHOTO
Photo courtesy of Merck.