Killed vaccine ?

[Ohrmundt Simmentals]

I found 1 or 2 older threads on this but just wanted some updated thoughts. I have a couple of 10 dose bottles of killed vaccines that I took a 2 or 3 doses out of. I put them back in the frig. Can I still use them in then next a week or so or not? The older threads said most likely not but new info comes all the time. Thanks

 

[kenny thomas]

What does it say on the label? Follow that to be sure. But in the passed I have used it.

 

[inyati13]

Best policy is to follow the instructions provided with the vaccine. Nevertheless, for toxioid or bacterin such as a Clostridial vaccine like UltraChoice 8, I retain the unused portion and use it later. To make sure the chances of contamination are reduced, I always pull a dose with a sterile needle. I always keep it in the refrigerator and use it within a month of pulling the first dose. Remember, the vaccine preparation contains preservatives and some contain antibiotics to protect the vaccine.

Vaccines like Bovi-Shield Gold which contain MLV must be used in the first hour after rehydration of the MLV component to be effective.

PS: I watch the practices vets use when they handle vaccines and antibiotics. Rarely, do I ask my vet to perform vaccinations but on a couple of occasions I noticed he used vaccines that had already had a dose pulled from them. Last year I had him trim 4 of my cow’s feet (he said they did not need it and I don’t plan on trimming again unless I see a problem). While he was at it, I had him vaccinate each cow with his custom made pinkeye vaccine. He carried the bottle of vaccine in his pocket during the entire operation. It was a bottle that had already been used. I did not see him change needles between the four cows. All bad practices by my standards.

 

[Ohrmundt Simmentals]

Yeah Fall vaccinations is never an issue. Since everything comes in and goes thru the chute the same day. At least for the cows. Calves a few days later. So at least they are in 2 groups. In spring we vaccinate the yearling heifers(8-12) when we put CIDR's in for sync. Then the yearling bulls(4-5) are sometimes done on the same day or a couple weeks later. Then cows are done on another day. So we end up with a few different groups. One nice reason for doing it that way, is you can fit these smaller group in, and around the evenings after field work. We use Tri. 10 and Alpha 7 and have been for about 8-10 years.

 

[Lucky_P]

Biologics tech folks have indicated that killed/inactivated vaccines which have been handled properly are probably OK for up to 4 months after you 'open' them - IF!!! they are kept refrigerated and not contaminated. That means no in-and-out of the stopper with a needle that's been stuck in cows - you should insert a sterile needle and draw out the desired dose, unhook, and put a new needle on the syringe for the injection into the animal.

Ron, he knew better. I knew better. Se were all taught better...but vets are just like everyone else...we're prone to slip into doing it the 'easy' way.
It took a pretty big slap for me to step back and realize the error of my ways... the need to use a fresh, new, sterile needle for each and every cow. Had that same discussion with another veterinarian this week.
Have seen a couple of clinical cases of anaplasmosis in cattle this week - 3-4 months earlier than the typical time frame that they start popping up here. I'd bet you a Coke that they 'worked' the herd 6 weeks or so ago, and transferred the Anaplasma organism from an infected cow to noninfected animals by going down the line using the same needle time after time, til it broke, got bent, or was too dull to shove it through the skin any more.

 

[Ohrmundt Simmentals]

For vaccinations we use Prima Tech syringe guns. Which we really like. Actually got a 5ml and 2ml for free at the Wisconsin Farm Technology days a few years ago. The rep at the said here go try them out and we'll send you a survey. Well they never sent the survey. We would say we like them better then Allflex repeater. The syringe holds the bottle so the needle drawing out of the bottle is never in contact with the animal.
Thanks for the responses everyone.