Heptavac P Plus sheep and lamb vaccine-Hyperdrug

Presentation Combined 7 in 1 Clostridial plus Pasteurella vaccine. An opaque fluid vaccine containing toxoids of Clostridium perfringens types B, C and D (30-60, 30-60 & 80-160 TCP units/ml respectively), Clostridium septicum (3-6 TCP units/ml), Clostridium tetani (6-12 TCP units/ml), Clostridium novyi type B (8-16 TCP units/ml), formalin killed cells and toxoid of Clostridium chauvoei (1.25x108 cells & equivalent toxoid/ml/strain) and iron regulated antigens from the epidemiologically most important serotypes of Pasteurella haemolytica and Pasteurella trehalosi (5x108 cells/ml/strain) in buffered physiological saline adsorbed onto aluminium hydroxide. Thiomersal is included as a preservative. Uses For the active immunisation of sheep as an aid in the control of lamb dysentery, pulpy kidney, struck, tetanus, braxy, blackleg, black disease and clostridial metritis caused by the above listed organisms. The vaccine may be used as an aid in the control of pneumonic pasteurellosis in sheep of all ages from a minimum age of 3 weeks and in the control of systemic pasteurellosis in weaned fattening and breeding sheep. The vaccine may be used in pregnant ewes as an aid in the control of lamb dysentery, pulpy kidney, tetanus and pasteurellosis in their lambs provided that the lambs receive sufficient immune colostrum during the first 1-2 days of life.

Dosage and administration It is recommended that an automatic vaccinator is used. Since the bottle containing this product is non-collapsible a vaccinator with a vented draw-off spike or similar device must be used. The instructions supplied with such syringes should be noted and care must be taken to ensure the delivery of the full dose, particularly with the final few doses from the bottle. Sheep of all ages: 2ml per injection. All breeding sheep not previously vaccinated with Heptavac-P Plus must receive 2 injections, each of 2.0 ml, separated by an interval of 4-6 weeks. Thereafter they must receive booster injections at intervals of not more than 12 months. In adult breeding ewes these yearly booster injections should be given during the pre-lambing period, 4-6 weeks before lambing, as an aid in control of disease in their lambs. On farms where the incidence of pasteurellosis is high, a supplementary booster injection using a Pasteurella vaccine may be required 2-3 weeks prior to expected seasonal outbreaks. Heptavac-P Plus should not be used in lambs less than 3 weeks of age due to the possible immunological incompetence of the very young lamb and competition from any maternally derived colostral antibodies. Lambs being retained for fattening or subsequent breeding will require a full course of vaccination. At a minimum age of 3 weeks these lambs should receive 2 injections, each of 2.0 ml, separated by an interval of 4-6 weeks. It should be noted that Heptavac-P Plus is the recommended vaccine for breeding stock since it provides optimal aid in the control of the predominant clostridial diseases in adult sheep by active immunisation and in young lambs by passive immunisation. The vaccine should be administered by subcutaneous injection in the lateral side of the upper neck observing aseptic precautions. Syringes and needles must be from gamma irradiated packs or freshly sterilised by boiling for at least 20 minutes. No alcohol or other disinfectants should be used for sterilisation. The vaccine bottle must be shaken well before use. Once opened, use of the vaccine must be completed within 10 hours. The use of automatic vaccination equipment is recommended. The vaccine may be administered using a sterile needle and syringe, provided a fresh sterile needle is used each time the rubber cap is punctured to avoid contamination of the remaining contents. Partly used and empty packs, syringes and needles must be disposed of in accordance with the requirements for clinical waste.

Contra-indications, warnings, etc In any group of animals a small number of individuals may fail to respond to vaccination as a result of immunological incompetence. Satisfactory immune responses will only be attained in healthy animals, thus it is important to avoid vaccination of animals which have intercurrent infection or metabolic disorder. As with most killed vaccines, significant levels of immunity cannot be expected until 2 weeks after the second dose of vaccine in the primary vaccination course. When handling sheep, stress should be avoided, particularly during the later stages of pregnancy when there is a risk of inducing abortion and metabolic disorders. As with all vaccines, occasional hypersensitivity reactions may occur. The vaccine contains an adjuvant and, as with most adjuvanted vaccines, may result in small transient injection site reactions possibly lasting for up to 3-4 months after vaccination. Withholding period: Zero days For animal treatment only. Keep out of the reach of children. Pharmaceutical precautions Store at +2°C to +8°C in the dark. Do not freeze. Use before the expiry date printed on the pack.

Legal category POM-VPS (previously PML). Packaging Quantities 50ml, 100ml, 250ml and 500ml polyethylene multidose bottles. Further information The nutritional and metabolic status of pregnant ewes is extremely important at the time of vaccination. If in doubt consult your veterinary surgeon for advice. No information is available on the effects of the concurrent use of this vaccine with any other. It is therefore suggested that no other vaccine should be administered within 14 days before or after vaccination with the product. If in doubt consult your veterinary surgeon for advice. Evidence of efficacy of the Pasteurella component of Heptavac-P Plus was generated in an experimental infection model and it is not possible to provide duration of immunity information using this system. There are reports that active immunity will last for up to 1 year and that passive immunity will persist for up to 4 weeks after birth in lambs from ewes vaccinated with conventional Pasteurella vaccines. Heptavac-P Plus has been developed following research and development which resulted in the application of new `IRP' technology for the manufacture of the pasteurella components of these vaccines. The inclusion of these IRP components should provide enhanced efficacy and cross protection e.g. protection against serotype A12, which is not included in the vaccine, has been demonstrated. Studies on the response of sheep to these vaccines show that 2 injections separated by an interval of 4-6 weeks are required to gain the full benefit of the `IRP'. Marketing authorisation number Vm 01708/4468.