Vaccinations are some of the best tools we have available to prevent costly reproductive and respiratory diseases, but they won’t provide the return on investment we’re looking for if handled or administered improperly, says Dr. Dan Tracy, Zoetis beef technical services.
The cost of improper vaccine administration and handling can vary widely depending on the potential consequences. Poor immune responses, persistently infected calves, and increased morbidity and mortality rates are all expensive possible outcomes that can really add up.
“If you’re going to put the time and money into managing risk through vaccinations, you need to get a return from that,” Tracy says. “We have to move away from just checking the boxes and start thinking about ways to optimize the effectiveness and value of our animal health products.”
Here are his top tips for protecting cattle health and profitability through proper vaccine administration and handling techniques:
1. Ensure vaccines are stored at 35-46 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep a thermometer near the vaccines in the refrigerator and record the temperature at different times throughout the day to make sure vaccines are stored according to label directions.
2. Avoid mixing too many doses. Modified-live vaccines are at their very best immediately after mixing, so it’s important to mix only one bottle at a time. Time, heat and sunlight all work to degrade the vaccine after it’s mixed. “One of the most common mistakes I see is mixing too many doses at once and then not getting through those doses in a timely fashion,” he says. “The first 20 doses are probably okay, but dose 50 is likely not. Don’t mix more than you will use within an hour and keep those mixed doses in a chuteside cooler for best results.”
3. Designate syringes for modified-live vaccines. These syringes should only be cleaned with hot water, as any residue left from soaps or disinfectants may kill the viruses in the vaccine.
4. Keep the chuteside area clean. The needle, syringe and hands of the person administering the injection should be clean.
5. Change needles between animals to prevent disease transmission. “Needles are one of the cheapest things we buy when it comes to disease prevention, but they can easily spread disease if not changed out between animals,” he says. “We’re trying to save pennies by using the same needles, but it may end up costing us dollars.”
6. Avoid overcrowding. It’s important to avoid bunching together more animals than what can fit comfortably in the alley leading to the chute. This helps reduce stress and maintains animal cleanliness prior to vaccine administration.
7. Implement low-stress animal handling techniques and follow Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) guidelines. BQA is an excellent resource for cattle producers looking to improve their animal handling and vaccine administration techniques. Visit BQA.org to access free trainings, manuals, templates and guides.
8. Remember: Slow and steady wins the race. Slowing down and paying close attention to detail can reduce risk of vaccine handling or administration mistakes.
“Proper handling and administration are important for all animal health products but are especially important for vaccines to maintain efficacy,” he says.
Consult with your local veterinarian or Zoetis representative for more information and herd health tips.
