Vaccination Schedule In Livestock

And Production Disease

Dr. Kriti Dua, NDRI, Karnal

Vaccination is one of the most important and cost-effective methods of preventing infectious diseases of animals. To date, no other method in veterinary medicine has had such an impact in reducing morbidity and mortality and increasing the overall well-being of animals. In veterinary medicine, vaccines have played an enormous role in the development of the modern livestock industry through the efficacious and cost-effective control of infectious diseases.

Vaccination is administration of vaccine (antigen derived from infectious agents) to an animal so that specific immune response is mounted and animal becomes resistant to infection. The immune response is of two types, namely humoral immunity involving the synthesis and release of antibodies (B Lymphocytes) into the blood and other body fluids, and cell mediated immunity involving the production of sensitized T-lymphocytes, which have the antibody on their cell surfaces. Currently, the majority of bacterial and viral vaccines are either live attenuated or killed. Live attenuated vaccines are very efficient in inducing long-lasting immunity through cell-mediated and humoral immunological responses, however these vaccines present a potential risk for pregnant and immune compromised animals as their potential to revert back to virulence has been constantly questioned. Inactivated vaccines cannot replicate and are, therefore, not infectious. However, they lack the ability to induce a robust immunological response, especially cell-mediated responses.

Vaccination In Bovines

Large animal are to be routinely vaccinated against various infectious diseases occurring commonly in outbreak form. There is no single universally accepted vaccination schedule, but vaccine to be used depends on the prevalence of that disease in particular area or farm. The vaccination against Foot and Mouth disease (FMD), Hemorrhagic Septicemia (HS), Brucellosis and Black Quarter (BQ) should be carried out regularly in bovine population, however, depending on the prevalence of the disease in particular area or farm, vaccination against theileriosis, rabies or anthrax can be done. The schedule to be followed depends on the vaccine used, manufacturer’s instructions and veterinarian’s own choice. Suggested vaccination schedule for bovine is given in Table 1. The first injection of any vaccine can be given at any age over and above the manufacturer’s guidelines but booster and repetition doses to be given exactly at the recommended time interval. In general, there should be a gap of 14-21 days between two vaccines used. Various commercial vaccines (Table 2) are available in the market which protects the animals from infectious diseases. Some are multivalent vaccines (Raksha biovac, Raksha triovac, Raksha HS and BQ combined vaccine) which contain antigens against different infectious agents and protect the animals against many diseases.

Points to be considered during vaccination:

• Vaccinate all the animals at the same time.

• Use separate disposable needle for each animal.

• Maintain the cold chain and store the vaccine in a refrigerated or thermos flask covered with ice.

• Check the expiry date of the vaccine and consult a veterinarian during vaccination.

• Always use the vaccine manufactured by reputed company.

• Vaccinate the animals during the cool hour of the day.

• Vaccinate only the healthy animal. Do not vaccinate sick animal.

• Maintain the proper record of vaccination given to animals.

 Table 1. Suggested Vaccination Schedule for Bovine

Age	Vaccination	Revaccination
3 Month	Rakshavac T (Theleriosis) only for crossbred cattle	Every year
4 Month	Clovax/ Raksha Ovac (Foot and Mouth Disease)/Raksha Biovac (Foot and Mouth Disease and Haemorrhagic Septicemia)/Raksha Triovac (Foot and Mouth Disease, Haemorrhagic Septicemia and Black Quarter)	Every Six Months
Six Month	HSalum precipitated vaccine/Raksha HS (Haemorrhagic Septicemia), BQ Vaccine/ Raksha BQ (Black Quarter)	Every Six Months
Four to Eight Months (serologically negative female animals)	Brucella abortus Strain 19 vaccine/ Bruvax (Brucellosis)

Note:

•             If clovax/ Raksha ovac has been used then use HS alum precipitated vaccine /Raksha HS and BQ/Raksha BQ at six months age.

•             If Raksha biovac/ triovac is used then no need to vaccinate with Clovax/ Raksha Ovac at four month and HS alum precipitated vaccine /Raksha HS and BQ vaccine at six month

•             Vaccination against anthrax and rabies can be done depending upon prevalence in the particular area.

Table 2. Commercially Available Vaccines