Jeanne - Simme Valley
Well-known member
BQA UPDATE: HOW TO MAKE A VACCINATION FAIL
Jerry Bertoldo, Sr. Extension Associate, NWNY Dairy, Livestock, Field Crops Team, Cornell University
Vaccinations are part of virtually every farmer's herd health plan. Many bacterial and viral diseases can be managed most effectively by their use; however, there have always been some misconceptions about how these tools work and what the limitations might be.
Creating Immunity - Vaccines are man-made products that attempt to mimic the challenge to the immune system that natural exposure to a disease presents to the body. It goes without saying that we do not want to have the same results after vaccinating that we see after contracting the natural cause of the disease. A great deal of effort goes into preparing a vaccine that stimulates the immune system well enough, but does not cause sickness and possibly death.
If you look at death as the worst case scenario following exposure to a pathogen or agent of disease then you have to view the absence of an immune reaction after vaccination as the equivalent unacceptable result. Both situations need a lack of response to the challenge in order to result in a failure mode. Since death is much more dramatic and visible than a lack of antibodies in the blood and tissues, vaccine failure does not show up well on the radar screen by comparison.
Reasons for Failure - When death occurs from infection by a pathogen, either one of two things may have gone wrong: the pathogen was exceptionally virulent or strong or the victim was not capable of fighting off even a moderate challenge. Inexperienced immune systems (baby calves), weakened metabolism (poor nutrition, heavy parasite load) and high stress load (sick already, socialization, just weaned) are good reasons for higher than normal sickness and death rates. Similarly, a failure to produce antibodies and protection against the disease agents in the vaccine comes from the same set of circumstances.
Other reasons that vaccinations fail completely or partially are related to handling, route of administration, dosing frequency and needle length. It has been estimated that 15% of dairy cattle do not show adequate protection after the administration of most vaccines. These are compelling reasons to make sure those directions are followed and that your veterinarian is consulted when breaks in disease control occur.
What Not To Do - Here is a checklist of things that should not happen when vaccinating livestock:
· Vaccinate calves under 5-7 days of age
· Vaccinate and dehorn, or wean at the same time
· Vaccinate when the temperature is over 85°F
· Use more than 2 types of gram negative bacterins (E. coli, Salmonella, Lepto, Brucella, Hemophilus, Moraxella, Vibrio) at the same time.
· Mix up vaccines and use more than 1 hours later
· Leave vaccines unrefrigerated or in sunlight
· Use frozen vaccine
· Put left over, ready-to-use vaccines in the refrigerator after drawing out vaccine
· Use the same needle to draw out vaccine that was used for an injection
Proper administration of products increases animal performance, reduces injections site blemishes and enhances animal well being. Each is a tenet of Beef Quality Assurance (BQA). BQA is a voluntary program focused on increasing the quality, taste and safety of beef. Certification demonstrates your commitment to the principles of BQA. To find out how you can participate, contact Mike Baker, Cornell Beef Extension Specialist, 607-255-5923, [email protected] or Carol Gillis, NY Beef Industry Council Executive Director, 800-292-6922, [email protected].
Jerry Bertoldo, Sr. Extension Associate, NWNY Dairy, Livestock, Field Crops Team, Cornell University
Vaccinations are part of virtually every farmer's herd health plan. Many bacterial and viral diseases can be managed most effectively by their use; however, there have always been some misconceptions about how these tools work and what the limitations might be.
Creating Immunity - Vaccines are man-made products that attempt to mimic the challenge to the immune system that natural exposure to a disease presents to the body. It goes without saying that we do not want to have the same results after vaccinating that we see after contracting the natural cause of the disease. A great deal of effort goes into preparing a vaccine that stimulates the immune system well enough, but does not cause sickness and possibly death.
If you look at death as the worst case scenario following exposure to a pathogen or agent of disease then you have to view the absence of an immune reaction after vaccination as the equivalent unacceptable result. Both situations need a lack of response to the challenge in order to result in a failure mode. Since death is much more dramatic and visible than a lack of antibodies in the blood and tissues, vaccine failure does not show up well on the radar screen by comparison.
Reasons for Failure - When death occurs from infection by a pathogen, either one of two things may have gone wrong: the pathogen was exceptionally virulent or strong or the victim was not capable of fighting off even a moderate challenge. Inexperienced immune systems (baby calves), weakened metabolism (poor nutrition, heavy parasite load) and high stress load (sick already, socialization, just weaned) are good reasons for higher than normal sickness and death rates. Similarly, a failure to produce antibodies and protection against the disease agents in the vaccine comes from the same set of circumstances.
Other reasons that vaccinations fail completely or partially are related to handling, route of administration, dosing frequency and needle length. It has been estimated that 15% of dairy cattle do not show adequate protection after the administration of most vaccines. These are compelling reasons to make sure those directions are followed and that your veterinarian is consulted when breaks in disease control occur.
What Not To Do - Here is a checklist of things that should not happen when vaccinating livestock:
· Vaccinate calves under 5-7 days of age
· Vaccinate and dehorn, or wean at the same time
· Vaccinate when the temperature is over 85°F
· Use more than 2 types of gram negative bacterins (E. coli, Salmonella, Lepto, Brucella, Hemophilus, Moraxella, Vibrio) at the same time.
· Mix up vaccines and use more than 1 hours later
· Leave vaccines unrefrigerated or in sunlight
· Use frozen vaccine
· Put left over, ready-to-use vaccines in the refrigerator after drawing out vaccine
· Use the same needle to draw out vaccine that was used for an injection
Proper administration of products increases animal performance, reduces injections site blemishes and enhances animal well being. Each is a tenet of Beef Quality Assurance (BQA). BQA is a voluntary program focused on increasing the quality, taste and safety of beef. Certification demonstrates your commitment to the principles of BQA. To find out how you can participate, contact Mike Baker, Cornell Beef Extension Specialist, 607-255-5923, [email protected] or Carol Gillis, NY Beef Industry Council Executive Director, 800-292-6922, [email protected].
