MSD has announced that its calf scour vaccine, Bovilis Rotavec Corona is now licensed to boost antibodies against both F5 (K99) and F41 E.coli adhesins – the most commonly isolated fimbriae taken from calves suffering with infectious diarrhoea1.

MSD says the new license claim means the vaccine combines the broadest calf scour protection available with unique user convenience.

MSD Animal Health livestock veterinary adviser Dr Kat Baxter-Smith said: “When correctly administered as a single 2ml intramuscular dose to pregnant cattle 12-3 weeks prior to calving, Bovilis Rotavec Corona boosts antibodies in colostrum for rotavirus, coronavirus and now both E.coli F5 (K99) and F41.

"Calves gain protection against these infectious scour pathogens by drinking the fortified colostrum from their vaccinated mothers.

“Bovilis Rotavec Corona also contains the most prevalent rotavirus strain in Europe2, which minimises the chances of a calf scour protection breakdown due to differences between vaccine antigens and the ubiquitous antigens on farm3.”

Kat added: "Vet, RAMA and farmer feedback suggests the wide vaccination window (12-3 weeks pre-calving) and the fact that an opened bottle of vaccine lasts for up to 28 days are particularly useful practical benefits in a mix of both dairy and beef suckler systems.”

Bovilis Rotavec Corona is available in 5, 20 and 50-dose packs from both veterinary professionals and the agricultural merchant trade.

References

  1. Kolenda et al. (2015) A systematic review and meta-analysis of the epidemiology of pathogenic Escherichia coli of calves and the role of calves as reservoirs for human pathogenic coli. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. Mar 12;5:23.
  2. Kaplon J et al. (2013) Impact of rotavirus vaccine on rotavirus genotypes and calciviruses circulating in French cattle. Vaccine. 31(20): 2433-40
  3. Papp H et al. (2013) Review of group A rotavirus strains reported in swine and cattle.Vet Microbiol. 165 (3-4): 190-9

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