MSD Animal Health has announced that its BOVILIS INtranasal RSPä Live vaccine is now licensed for use in calves from the day of birth onwards for active immunisation against Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) caused by Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV) and Parainfluenza Virus 3 (Pi3).
No other UK-licensed BRD vaccine can be administered earlier in life. This is a significant benefit because the sooner these vulnerable young calves can be protected from viral BRD and the damage it causes the better.
BOVILIS INtranasal RSPä Live delivers the fastest on-farm protection of all the available pneumonia vaccines, with an onset of immunity after administration for BRSV of just 6 days (for calves vaccinated from the day of birth onwards) and 5 days (for calves vaccinated from the age of one week onwards). Onset of immunity after administration for Pi3V is one week after vaccination. The duration of immunity is 12 weeks for both viruses.
Early and fast protection against pneumonia is important: for example, replacement heifers that do not have pneumonia as calves produce over 500kg more milk in their first lactation.
BOVILIS INtranasal RSP Live also has significant practical usage benefits in that it can now be used on farm at the same time as other early life interventions associated with newborn calves – for example, colostrum/first milk feeding, navel management, tagging, jacketing and necessary pen movements.
Additionally, BOVILIS INtranasal RSP Live can be used up to six hours after mixing with the solvent, which is the longest of all the available intranasal vaccines for these pathogens. It is supplied as a farm-friendly, easy-to administer nasal suspension product that doesn’t need a specific applicator – although for maximum flexibility an easy-clean injector and nozzle kit is available for vaccinating multiple animals.
The vaccine is available in 5×1 dose, 5 dose and 5×5 dose packs.