Vaccines and Immunization of Farm Animals 2025

What is a Vaccine? Is it dead or alive vaccine?

• Animals will build up a resistance or antibodies against that specific organism.

• The immunized animal is then protected against the disease for which the vaccine was developed for e.g. Quarter Evil / Botulism / Anthrax/ Lumpy Skin.

• Preventative Measure as there are NO cures for these diseases above.

• Vaccines Stimulates animal’s immunity against the disease.

• It takes 14 – 21 days for the animal to develop antibodies against the vaccine introduced in the animal.

Preventative Measures and Use of Vaccines.

• READ the instructions supplied with the vaccine especially dosage and mixing instructions.

• WARNINGS on label. Especially about pregnant animals.

Equipment:

• Sterilize syringe and needles in boiling water ONLY.

• DON’T use methylated spirits or disinfectants.

• ONE NEEDLE PER ANIMAL – very important to stop any spread of diseases to other animals.

• Remember you are making a hole in the skin of the animal. Pull the skin before injecting, release the skin to close the hole. Picture attached below.

  

  
  

Vaccine:

• Shake container before use.

• Mix vaccines where necessary e.g. Lumpy Skin

• After mixing it must be used and NOT stored

• ALL vaccines are stored in a fridge at 4 – 8 ˚C.

Sunlight:

• Avoid exposure to high temperatures and direct sunlight.

Mixing Vaccines – DON’T MIX different types

• Only use vaccines which are combined and illustrated on the label.

• SUPAVAX – Anthrax / Quarter Evil / Botulism

• Quarter Evil / Botulism

• Pulpy Kidney

• Bovine Respiratory Disease

• There are other combinations available for cattle, goats and sheep.

• Other vaccines are single doses for specific diseases.

Protection of the person who vaccinates the animals.

• DON’T inject yourself.

• Live vaccines e.g. Brucellosis (CA) pose a health risk if you inject yourself.

Vaccinations during Disease outbreaks e.g. Lumpy Skin in Cattle

• Animals can still get the disease as it takes 14 – 21 Days for immunity to develop.

Transfer of disease during Vaccinations.

• SEPARATE NEEDLE FOR EACH ANIMAL.

• YOUNG animals vaccinated for the first time at 5 – 6 months need to have a follow up second vaccination within 3 - 4 months to ensure good development of a good protective immunity against the diseases.

• Stress does occur after any vaccine

• After vaccinations are given to animals DO NOT use an antibiotic on them for 14 Days after vaccination.

Why do immunization fail?????

• Wrong vaccination dosage e.g. 1 ml instead of 2 ml.

• Incorrect application of vaccine e.g. Pull the skin at place of vaccination so as to seal the site where the needle was inserted. Liquid must not run out as only small volumes of vaccine are applied to the animal.

• Vaccinating at the wrong age of the young stock.

• Vaccinating during a disease outbreak.

• Neglecting to give a booster vaccination to young animals, 3 months after first vaccination. Young fat animals are normally affected with Quarter Evil and they die within 36 hours, no cures only vaccinate to prevent.

• Check expiry date on vaccines.

• Annual immunization program NOT followed.

• Poor condition of animals or sick animals vaccinated.

• POOR storage of vaccines from SHOP to your HOUSE FRIDGE then to the KRAAL where vaccinations are to be done.

• EXPOSURE to SUNLIGHT and Ultra violet light at the kraal.

All CATTLE should be vaccinated each year in JULY / AUGUST with the following vaccines:

• ANTHRAX

• QUARTER EVIL

• BOTULISM

• SUPAVAX is a combination of the above

• LUMPY SKIN

• Goats should be vaccinated with Ovi Clos P

• There are many different vaccines for Cattle & Goats. See what diseases they cover.

ALL young animals Calves & Goats born in August / September should be vaccinated in January each year with SUPAVAX & (BOVINE RESPIRATORY DISEASE (BRD) for all young animals that will be going into a feedlot after weaning) with a booster vaccination again in July /August each year. This is very important as it is always the young fat animals that get QUARTER EVIL

Purchasing Vaccines:

• Purchase from reputable source with standby generators in case of power failures.

• Vaccines must be kept between 4 - 8˚C in a normal fridge.

• Check expiry date of the vaccine.

• Transport in an insulated container (COLD BOX) with sufficient frozen ice packs to maintain cold chain between the shop and your home and from your home to the kraal where the vaccinations are to take place.

• Store vaccines in a reliable fridge at home or in your cold box with ice. DON’T FREEZE vaccines.

• For Budget purposes - Costs per animal per year +-E60.00 for large or small animals.

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