Getting the Most from Your Vaccine

Vaccines are one of the tools producers use to protect the health of their herd and prevent rather than treat diseases. Like providing adequate energy and protein at critical times, a trace mineral supplement, and clean calving areas, vaccines do not provide absolute protection, but are a part of the total health program for your heard.

To be effective and perform the way they are supposed to, vaccines must be properly handled and properly administered. Vaccines must be given to healthy animals of the proper age. Stress can hinder the immune system and the animal won’t be able to develop good immunity from the vaccination (a good reason to work calves 3-4 weeks before weaning and then booster at weaning.)

The following is a partial list of precautions for selecting, handling and administering vaccines to get the most response from your efforts:

Always follow label directions for storage, mixing and injection. Some vaccines should be given intramuscularly (IM), others should be given under the skin (subcutaneously or Sub Q). If you have a choice it is usually best to put it under the skin rather than in the muscle, to avoid possible chances of muscle damage or abscesses. Always give IM injections in the neck area and NOT in the rump or butt.

Check expiration dates. Some medications (particularly some antibiotics) have a long life, but many vaccines have a shorter storage life. Use vaccine before its expiration date, and when you buy it, make sure it won’t expire before you plan to use it.

Vaccines should never be mixed with other vaccines unless indicated on the label. Mixing may cause the vaccine to become ineffective.

Store vaccines at the recommended temperature. Most vaccines should be kept cool and out of direct sunlight. Modified live vaccines loose their potency once mixed after several hours.

Change vaccination needles frequently (after 10 to 15 head) and always check for burrs. Never use a bent or damaged needle. Discard needle if it comes in contact with foreign material.

Do not use a chemical disinfectant on vaccination equipment unless it is rinsed well after cleaning before use.

Keep good records on all products used and the animal recipients. Record the company name, expiration date, date used and manufacturer’s serial number.

Killed vaccines generally require a booster shot in two to four weeks, so plan to follow up.

Use the tenting procedure, pulling the hide up before injecting when indicated. Select the proper size and length needle. Usually a 16 or 18 gauge needle is used. For Sub-Q injections use a 1/2 to 5/8 inch needle.

For vaccinations in the muscle, be sure needle is long enough to prevent leakage from the injection site. Usually in the neck area and do not place vaccinations too close together.

Timing of vaccination. Animals need time to respond to the vaccine, so try to vaccinate ahead of anticipated exposure to disease.

Vaccines work with good management, but they won’t replace it. Producers may need to review and adjust their systems to get the best returns from their vaccine investment.

 

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		Matt Herring - Agronomy/Natural Resources Ken Bolte - Farm Management/Livestock Franklin County University Extension Center Last revised: 11/28/05		Go to Franklin County University Extension Center page