Reduce, refine and replace are at the heart of RUMA’s (Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance) ‘One Year On’ report, which was published at the end of 2018. Acknowledging that the UK farming industry has achieved a 40% reduction in antibiotic use in the five years to 20181. Information on how each sector is performing shows mixed progress.
Within the dairy sector, calf rearing had been identified as a ‘hot spot’ of treatment and a stage in the animal’s life where antibiotics could be used more appropriately and vaccination more widely integrated into herd management protocols.
Offering farmers more choice and the opportunity to protect very young calves, Bovalto® Respi Intranasal has been launched by Boehringer Ingelheim – an intranasal vaccine for calves that can be used from 10 days of age. The use of pneumonia vaccines in calves and youngstock will serve to reduce disease rates, so cutting antibiotic use.
Bovalto Respi Intranasal protects against the two main respiratory viruses – RSV and PI3, and during its development it was tested against the strains that are causing disease in stock currently2.
Being an intranasal vaccine, it triggers mucosal immunity in the nasal passages and throat area. This is an extensive immune system present in cattle, so priming it with a vaccine such as this delivers fast, effective, predictable protection.
Bovalto Respi Intranasal is delivered as a single shot, from 10 days of age and provides immunity in the face of MDA (maternally derived antibodies).
In order to assist with effective administration, a dedicated administration pack for use has been developed. This includes the Bovalto Respisafe applicator and nozzle which fits against the calf’s nostril, along with a vaccinator.
“The aim is to make sure that vaccination is a comfortable process for both farmer and calf, as well as addressing concerns on the administration of vaccine to the appropriate area in the nasal passages,” says Matt Yarnall, vet and brand manager at Boehringer Ingelheim.
“Correct administration of the vaccine will ensure that the spray is delivered in the most efficient manner to do its job. If the droplet size is too big, then it can run out of the nose, and if too small then this is carried into the back of the throat and is wasted.”
“Time and money is spent vaccinating calves and so the process needs to be effective to give optimal protection,” concludes Mr Yarnall. “If adding to the Bovalto range encourages more farmers to vaccinate against pneumonia so improving calf heath and lowering antibiotic use, that can only be a step in the right direction.”
- Veterinary Antimicrobial Resistance and Sales Surveillance Report 2017 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/veterinary-antimicrobial-resistance-and-sales-surveillance-2017
- Philippe-Reversat et al. (2017) Acta vet. BRNO 86: 325-332
Bovalto Respi Intranasal, nasal spray, lyophilisate and solvent for suspension contains Bovine parainfluenza 3 virus (PI3V), modified live virus, strain Bio 23/A 105.0 – 107.5 TCID50 and Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), modified live virus, strain Bio 24/A 104.0 – 106.0 TCID50. UK: POM-V. Further information available in the SPC or from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd, RG12 8YS, UK. UK Tel: 01344 746960 (sales) or 01344 746957 (technical). Bovalto and the steerhead logo are registered trademarks of the Boehringer Ingelheim Group. ©2018 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd. All rights reserved. Date of preparation: Nov 2018. AHD11725. Use Medicines Responsibly.
