Jeanne - Simme Valley
Well-known member
Previously, all information I've ever heard/read was that you shouldn't vaccinate a calf until after it's 3 months of age because of the possible interverance from the colostrum antibodies.
Here's an article on the latest research:
Calf-Working Vaccination News
It soon will be time to "work" the spring-born calves. New research is available that suggests that the young calves may be vaccinated with products used for protection against the respiratory diseases (IBR and BVDV). By vaccinating the calves now, the first immunization takes place when there is very little stress on the calf, giving the calf an excellent opportunity to begin to develop cell-mediated immunity. The calf then is re-vaccinated at weaning time.
The July, 2008 issue of the Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association contains the results of the study comparing a "calf-working" vaccination with the traditional "pre-weaning" vaccination. Oklahoma State University veterinary scientists cooperating with the Noble Foundation of Ardmore studied the timing of modified-live virus vaccinations in beef calves. For years, the recommendation for the timing of modified-live vaccines called for the vaccine to be given after maternal passive immunity antibodies had disappeared from the blood of the calf. It was thought that maternal antibodies (received in the colostrum) would interfere with the effectiveness of the vaccine. Therefore most viral vaccines were not given until the calves were 4 to 5 months or older.
However, the OSU/Noble Foundation research has shown otherwise. They vaccinated calves at 67 days of age and re-vaccinated them at weaning (190 days) and compared that with vaccinating at 167 days of age and boostered at (190 days) weaning. There was no difference in the percentage of calves protected by the vaccine due to the timing of the first vaccination. The result with both vaccination schedules was improved serum antibody titers compared with un-vaccinated control calves. Not surprising was the fact that the vaccinated calves had lower treatment costs and less mortality in the feedlot than the non-vaccinated control calves. Before the study was initiated, all cows and replacement heifers were vaccinated after calving and 30 days before breeding with a modified live vaccination for IBR, BVD types I and II, PI-3, and BRSV. This research suggests that the first vaccination with a modified live virus vaccine can be given at normal "calf-working" time, if boostered again at weaning. The calves would not need to be gathered at a separate time (approximately 3 - 4 weeks prior to weaning). The cows that nurse these newly vaccinated calves should have already been protected with a modified live vaccine against these same respiratory diseases. Source: Kirkpatrick, et al. 2008. JAVMA Vol. 233, No. 1, Pages 136-142.
Source: Glenn Selk, OSU Extension Cattle Reproduction Specialist
Here's an article on the latest research:
Calf-Working Vaccination News
It soon will be time to "work" the spring-born calves. New research is available that suggests that the young calves may be vaccinated with products used for protection against the respiratory diseases (IBR and BVDV). By vaccinating the calves now, the first immunization takes place when there is very little stress on the calf, giving the calf an excellent opportunity to begin to develop cell-mediated immunity. The calf then is re-vaccinated at weaning time.
The July, 2008 issue of the Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association contains the results of the study comparing a "calf-working" vaccination with the traditional "pre-weaning" vaccination. Oklahoma State University veterinary scientists cooperating with the Noble Foundation of Ardmore studied the timing of modified-live virus vaccinations in beef calves. For years, the recommendation for the timing of modified-live vaccines called for the vaccine to be given after maternal passive immunity antibodies had disappeared from the blood of the calf. It was thought that maternal antibodies (received in the colostrum) would interfere with the effectiveness of the vaccine. Therefore most viral vaccines were not given until the calves were 4 to 5 months or older.
However, the OSU/Noble Foundation research has shown otherwise. They vaccinated calves at 67 days of age and re-vaccinated them at weaning (190 days) and compared that with vaccinating at 167 days of age and boostered at (190 days) weaning. There was no difference in the percentage of calves protected by the vaccine due to the timing of the first vaccination. The result with both vaccination schedules was improved serum antibody titers compared with un-vaccinated control calves. Not surprising was the fact that the vaccinated calves had lower treatment costs and less mortality in the feedlot than the non-vaccinated control calves. Before the study was initiated, all cows and replacement heifers were vaccinated after calving and 30 days before breeding with a modified live vaccination for IBR, BVD types I and II, PI-3, and BRSV. This research suggests that the first vaccination with a modified live virus vaccine can be given at normal "calf-working" time, if boostered again at weaning. The calves would not need to be gathered at a separate time (approximately 3 - 4 weeks prior to weaning). The cows that nurse these newly vaccinated calves should have already been protected with a modified live vaccine against these same respiratory diseases. Source: Kirkpatrick, et al. 2008. JAVMA Vol. 233, No. 1, Pages 136-142.
Source: Glenn Selk, OSU Extension Cattle Reproduction Specialist
