Presentation 

An aqueous inactivated vaccine containing antigens of rotavirus (strains 1005/78 and Holland), coronavirus (strain 800) and E. coli K99/F41.   The vaccine contains aluminium hydroxide and saponin (Quil A) as adjuvants and thiomersal as a preservative.

Uses   

For the active immunisation of pregnant cows and heifers in order to confer passive protection to their calves (via colostrum) to reduce the severity and duration of neonatal diarrhoea caused by rotavirus, coronavirus and E. coli infections.

Protection is conferred only while the calves are fed colostrum from vaccinated cows.

Dosage and administration 

Dose: 5ml by subcutaneous injection in the side of the neck, observing aseptic precautions.

Vaccination schedule: All cows in a herd should receive two injections of 5ml during the later stages of pregnancy, with an interval of 4-5 weeks between doses and allowing 2‑3 weeks from the time of the second dose until the predicted date of calving.

Booster injection: During each subsequent pregnancy previously vaccinated cows should receive a single injection of 5ml 2-6 weeks prior to the predicted calving date.  

Passive immunisation: In order to attain local passive immunisation within the intestine against neonatal diarrhoea, the newborn calves must receive sufficient quality colostrum and milk from the vaccinated dams during the first 10 to 14 days of life.   For calves born to beef cows this can be achieved by allowing the calf to suckle naturally.   Calves born to dairy cows often do not receive sufficient colostrum if suckled naturally, so artificial feeding of colostrum (e.g. via oesophageal tube feeders) should be used.

The vaccine bottle/vial must be shaken before use.

Multi-dose containers must be used within 1 day after opening so as to avoid contamination of the vaccine and subsequent loss of activity.

Contra-indications, warnings, etc.  

Do not use in animals which have intercurrent infection or are in poor nutritional status.

Immunisation may rarely result in temporary swellings at the injection site (ranging from small nodules of approximately 1cm in diameter to swellings of 20 cm diameter in extreme cases).   Typically, these swellings completely disappear or reduce to a negligible size within 2-4 weeks after vaccination, though in individual animals very small reactions remain longer. Additionally, a transient slight rise in body temperature normally decreasing to a non-significant level within one day may be expected.
Only vaccinate immuno-competent animals.

The vaccine can be used during pregnancy.

No information is available on the safety and efficacy from the concurrent use of Lactovac with any other product.   It is therefore recommended that no other products (including injectable nutritional supplements) should be administered to the cow within 14 days before or after vaccination with the product.

Do not mix with any other vaccine/immunological product.

Withdrawal periods:

Zero days

FOR ANIMAL TREATMENT ONLY.   KEEP OUT OF REACH AND SIGHT OF CHILDREN.

Pharmaceutical precautions 

Store at +2°C to +8°C in the dark.   Do not freeze.  

After broaching the vial, the vaccine should be used within 10 hours. 

Partially used containers must be discarded at the end of each day's operations.

Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with national requirements.

Legal Category 

POM-V                                   To be supplied only on veterinary prescription.

Package quantity

25 ml glass bottle.

Further information   

Protection of the herd

Neonatal diarrhoea in calves is caused by pathogens which are constantly present in the herd. For this reason proper control measures require that all pregnant cows and heifers in a herd must be included in the programme of immunisation.   This is the only way in which the pressure of infection can be reduced. 

Herd hygiene

Neonatal diarrhoea in calves is often associated with poor hygiene.   Thus, general improvements in hygiene are important to support the effect of vaccination.

Immune protection

Diarrhoeal diseases can have many causes.   The vaccine induces high levels of antibody in the colostrum and milk against rotavirus and coronavirus as well as against E. coli, ie. against the principal pathogens of neonatal diarrhoea in calves.   The vaccine cannot be expected to provide protection against diarrhoeal diseases of other origins.

Feeding of colostrum
For optimal protection it has been shown that daily intake of colostrum is essential to the calf from birth to 2 weeks of age.   All calves should be fed colostrum derived from the first milking, ideally within the first 6 hours of life. Calves should then either be left to suckle naturally for a minimum of 2 weeks or a colostrum feeding regime must be established.   Any remaining quantities from the first milking and all the colostrum   from   the   second   milking   should   be   pooled,   aliquoted   and   stored deep frozen   (-20ºC for maximal one year).   Alternatively,   these   colostrum   pools   can   be stored at about +4^oC for about 2 weeks.   Following the first suckling of colostrum from the dam by the calves, where the calves are separated from the dam, their feed must be supplemented with 500ml of pooled colostrum each day. 

Marketing Authorisation number

Vm 01708/4416                       UK Authorised veterinary medicinal product.

Marketing Authorisation holder

Intervet UK Ltd

Walton Manor

Walton

Milton Keynes

Bucks MK7 7AJ

Licensed distributor in Northern Ireland

Intervet Ireland Ltd.

Magna Drive

Magna Business Park

Citywest Road

Dublin 24

Date of text preparation

22/06/06