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Vaccines-Their Use, Handling and Care

published: December 30th 2010
by: Oklahoma Coooperative Extension
source: T.R. Thedford, DVM Extension Veterinarian

All livestock producers use vaccines at one time or another in the day-to-day operation of their farms. If these products are not properly handled, little or no immunity will result from the use of the product. In addition to being costly, the false sense of security gained by the producer could re- sult in severe losses before the actual cause of the disease is discovered.
Vaccines are used to produce immunity to livestock diseases. The immunity that is produced will vary in its protective ability due to the type of vaccine used, organism (bacteria or virus) the immunity is to protect against, and the degree of challenge the animal receives from the virulent (infecting) organism. Stress and environmental conditions as well as handling of the vaccine and equipment used for the process, will affect the production and duration of immunity in the animal.
Types of Immunity
Passive immunity. This is a short-lived immunity. It will last from two weeks to six or seven months. In farm animals it is usually derived from the transfer of antibodies in colostrums to the newborn within the first 24 hours of life. The longevity of this immunity depends on the amount of antibody passed, the type of antibody, and what disease the protection is for. Passive immunity can also be transferred by blood transfu- sions or use of specific antisera or antitoxins.
Active immunity. This is a longer-lived immunity. It usually lasts from six months to one year or longer. In some instances activity immunity will last a lifetime. This type of immunity is developed in animals that have actually had and recovered from a disease or from inoculating them with a vaccine derived from the disease organism. These vaccines produce an immune response, i.e. immunity, without the symptoms or problems associated with the disease.
Biological products or vaccines are produced in several different forms for several specific types of immunity re- sponses. The following list and definitions are to help explain these differences:

1. Vaccine—Any biological agent used to produce an activity immunity.

2. Bacterins—Suspension of killed or inactivated disease
organisms. They will not cause the disease but do initi- ate an immune response. An example of a bacterin is blackleg bacterin.
3. Toxoids—Inactivated toxins or poisons or disease organisms. They will not cause the disease but produce an immunity to the disease. The inactivated bacterial poisons no longer are capable of harming the animal but prevent the establishment of the living organism. An example of a toxoid is tetanus toxoid.
4. Live virus and bacterial suspensions—Occasion- ally used to produce immunity, these are given in very small doses or at a time in the life of the animal when it is not as susceptible to the disease. An example of a live bacterial suspension is Bang’s Vaccine – Strain 19. A live virus vaccine example is contagious ecthyma or sore mouth in sheep and goats.
5. Modified live virus-vaccines—These are prepared from live viruses that have been modified by passage through an unnatural host until they no longer cause the disease but still produce immunity. An example of a modified live virus in I.B.R. (Infectious Bovine Rhinotrachetis) vaccine.
6. Inactivated viruses—These vaccines are produced by killing the virus through various methods, thereby rendering the virus incapable of causing the disease yet still capable of producing protection. An example of an inactivated virus vaccine would be killed I.B.R. (Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis or red nose) vaccine.
7. Antisera or antitoxins—These are products designed to produce a short-lived passive immunity. They are produced by exposing an animal to massive doses of vaccine or live disease organisms. The cell-free portion of the blood from these animals is used to produce the antisera or antitoxins. An example of an antiserum or antitoxin is tetanus antitoxin.
Care and Handling of Vaccines
All animal biological products are produced under license from the U.S. Department of Agriculture They must all be pure, effective, and safe (won’t produce the disease) before permission is given to sell the product in interstate commerce. All government control is lost after the product leaves the manufacturing plant. It is important for you to know how these products are handled after leaving the plant and until they are injected into the animal.

1. All biologicals should be shipped in a cool and well-insu- lated container. They should be stored in a refrigerator.

2. Lyophilized dry products should not be mixed until ready to be used. These products come in two containers, one containing a small dry power or cake, the other, a liquid. Do not mix more than what will be used in one hour maximum. Never keep mixed portions, even until the next day, as all of these products lose their immunizing properties after a few hours of being mixed.

3. Always observe the expiration date printed on the bottle.
If the product has expired, do not use it.

4. Never allow biologicals to sit in the sun before or after being mixed. Sunlight will destroy as well as heat the product. Maintain your biological products in a cooler chest with frozen water-filled cans. This will keep them cool as well as keep them out of the direct sunlight.

5. Do not save parts of vials. If using a multiple dose con- tainer, never enter the container with a needle that isn’t
sterile.

6. Never use syringes and needles that have been sterilized in chemical disinfectants. Sterilize all syringes and needles used for vaccines by boiling in distilled water for 20 minutes. Chemical disinfectants will destroy modi- fied live and live biologicals. Do not waste the effort of livestock handling and the cost of vaccine by trying to clean equipment in alcohol or some other chemical disinfectant.
7. Always burn or otherwise destroy vaccine bottles. Do not leave them lying around as a hazard to man and animal.
8. Be as clean as possible with the inoculation procedure. This doesn’t mean efficiency need be sacrificed. Keep an adequate supply of clean, sterilized needles avail- able and change when one becomes contaminated. It is a good idea to change needles about every five to 10 cows if anaplasmosis is a problem in your area.
9. Always give biologicals according to the manufacturer’s directions. Intramuscular means in the muscle and should be given with a 11/2-inch long needle. Subcutaneous means under the skin and 3/8- to 1/2-inch needles should be used.
A 16 gauge needle will not bend as easily and last longer for both routes. If the manufacturer recommends the use of large quantities such as antiserum, use 3/8- to 1/2-inch needles and do not put more than 10-15 cc in each site. Do not increase or decrease the manufacturer’s recommended dose. The dose is based on the number of immunizing units per cc and this concentration may very from one manufacturer to the next. Always read the instructions. If the intranasal route is used as is recom- mended for some products, remember to change can- nulas often. Do not hurry the process. To do a good job of immunizing, a certain amount of vaccine must come in contact with the lining of the nose. Do not reduce the dose.
10. You should not expect the vaccination to offer protection until after 10 days after giving the vaccine. The exception to this is the intranasal route. This route will give a relatively short duration of protection within a few hours to a few days after administration.
In conclusion, use extreme care in purchasing and caring for your immunizing products. Do not use chemical disinfectants. Keep them cool, out of the sun, and don’t save parts of unused or mixed bottles. Do not mix products unless specifically recommended by the manufacturer. Do not use outdated material and follow the manufacturer’s recommendation on dosage and route of administration. Consult your local practicing veterinary on what products are recommended in your area and on effectiveness of the various vaccines. Above all, do not be in a hurry or be sloppy with your procedures. The idea of using immunizing agents is an aid in the prevention of diseases. Don’t waste your time, money, and effort trying to set a new world record for speed of administration at the risk of a severe disease outbreak.