The correct use and storage

of veterinary medicines on the pig farm

PG-A00226 000017 5200075199
 Introduction

Types of injectable veterinary products used on the pig farm

7 Legal categories for veterinary medicines

How injectable veterinary products work

8 Understanding immunity
10 Vaccines and vaccination
11 Diagrammatic representation of antigens in action
13 Number and frequency of vaccinations
13 Primary course vaccination
14 Storage of veterinary medicines

Vaccine distribution, storage and handling

Injection Techniques
18 Vaccination equipment
20 Intramuscular injection
21 Subcutaneous injection
21 Intradermal injection
22 Vaccination of outdoor or loose-housed sows
24 Piglet vaccination
24 Broken needles

Record Keeping

Suspected adverse reactions

27 Why vaccines sometimes fail to work

Health, Safety and Environmental considerations

28 Accidental self-injection
29 Disposal of used product containers, needles and syringes

Pig Health Solutions from Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health

No part of this brochure from Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health may be reproduced or transmitted
in any form or by any means without written permission from Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health.
© 2009, Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, UK.

3
 Introduction

“The aim of this booklet is to provide stock people with a

better understanding of how veterinary medicines work,
together with details of correct storage and methods of
administration. Following basic principles will ensure that
pig health, welfare, profitability and product efficacy are
maximised for the benefit of all.”

In the production of quality-assured pig meat all sectors have a responsibility to the consumer and
the environment to aspire to the highest levels of compliance in terms of adherence to the correct use
of products and their withdrawal periods. Record keeping relating to medicines use, the correct disposal
of used needles and containers, and operator health and safety are every bit as important as administering
the product correctly to the pig.

As responsible manufacturers, Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health operate to the highest standards

of research, manufacture and quality assurance to ensure that each batch of product provides the required
level of performance expected of it. Clearly this is only achievable if the products are stored, transported
and used in accordance with our recommendations.

Consider this booklet as a ‘User’s Guide’ – read it, refer to it, and keep it on the farm close to where
injectable veterinary products are stored. Every person working with pigs should be familiar with, and
understand the basic principles suggested in this booklet.

John S. Richardson, Senior Pig Account Manager,

Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health.

4
 Types of injectable veterinary products
used on the pig farm

The veterinary products available to the pig farmer are in five categories: Legal categories for veterinary medicines

Authorised veterinary medicines are licensed by the VMD under various legal categories which
Vaccines
1 determine how they can be supplied to farms. The legal category is indicated on the product package
for the prevention and control of diseases caused by viruses, bacteria and mycoplasmas.
or label. The following categories relate to injectable products supplied to pig farms.

Antimicrobials
2 POM-V Prescription Only Medicine. These medicines are supplied only by a pharmacist on a written
antibiotics and antibacterials for the treatment of bacterial infections.
veterinary prescription or by a veterinary surgeon for animals directly under his/her care and following
a clinical assessment.
Antiparasitics
3
for the treatment of endoparasites such as intestinal worms and coccidia,
POM-VPS Prescription Only Medicines. These medicines are supplied only for food producing animals
or ectoparasites e.g. mange or lice.
on veterinary prescription, given orally or in writing, by a veterinarian, pharmacist, or Suitably Qualified
Person (SQP) for supply by one of these groups of people.
Hormones
4
to control breeding such as inducing farrowing or synchronising oestrus.
All products supplied to the farm under these categories are for use only on that farm, in the animals for
which they are prescribed, at the specified dose rate, for the condition for which they are prescribed.
Analgesics and sedatives
5
for the control of pain, inflammation and reduction of aggressive behaviour

All veterinary medicines are required by law to be licensed by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate
(VMD) and must comply with three requirements - safety, quality and efficacy. The product claims
made by manufacturers in respect of safety, quality and efficacy are printed on the carton or pack,
or on the insert leaflet accompanying each pack. Basic guidelines for product storage and usage are
also shown. Medicines obtained from your veterinary surgeon may also have additional information
which specifies more precisely how the product should be used. The prescribing veterinary surgeon
has the ultimate say and responsibility for how a product is used, and must always be consulted.

A pack and vial of vaccine. The pack is printed with The pack insert contains detailed information about
important information including the legal category, the product, its storage and use, and should be read
batch number and expiry date. thoroughly and retained.

6 7
 How injectable veterinary products work

A basic understanding of how products work enables Immune system – is that part of the body with which a pig can resist the challenge of disease:
it can be inherited or acquired in various ways.
the user to ensure that they are used in the most
appropriate way to ensure the best possible results. Inherent immunity – pigs are naturally resistant to diseases which affect other species, e.g. enzootic
abortion may infect sheep but pigs are naturally immune. Within species resistance is also seen,
for example certain strains of pig may be resistant to E.coli.
As vaccines are the most frequently used injectable on
the pig farm it is appropriate that they are considered in Acquired immunity – of which there are two forms Active and Passive; either of these may be
Naturally acquired – by exposure, or Induced - by the stock person vaccinating the pig. Acquired
greatest detail, though further reading will be required immunity is the preferred route which we try to maximise in order to protect pigs.
in order to have more than a basic knowledge.
Active acquired immunity – results from the pigs’ reaction to a challenge by a pathogenic
(disease causing) organism (pathogens) or via vaccination. Pathogens contain antigens which stimulate
the immune system to produce antibodies and other immune elements – these are highly specific to
that particular pathogen’s antigen. Antibodies neutralise the effect of invading pathogens; pathogens
are prevented from multiplying within the pig and clinical disease is prevented. This form of immunity
Understanding immunity
is active immunity of which there are two types:
Before discussing vaccines and vaccination it is important to understand the immune system
and its role in resisting infection. See below. Circulating (humoral) immunity – Certain types of B-lymphocytes produce antibodies which circulate
in the blood and body fluids. These antibodies inactivate pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and
mycoplasmas. Other types of B-lymphocytes have a memory function enabling a quick response to
further exposure to the same antigen.
Immunity
Cell mediated immunity – is the protection of tissues within
the pig by specific types of cells, called T-lymphocytes.
Inherited These cells develop specific antigen-binding sites on their surface,
or Bred and so are able to attach to, and inactivate disease-causing
pathogens. They are the true effectors of cell-mediated immunity.
Acquired
Passive immunity – results from the transfer of antibodies
to the pig, rather than the pig producing its own antibodies.
This is achieved by the sow producing antibodies to diseases
Natural Induced
which she has been exposed to, or having been vaccinated for,
then concentrating these antibodies in the colostrum which are
passed to the suckling piglet within the first 6-12 hours of life.
Activity Passive Active Passive
immunity immunity immunity immunity
by exposure by colostral antibody by vaccination or the by serum
to infection from the sow pig’s response to infection administration

Newborn piglets receiving colostrum

8 9
 For colostral antibodies to give effective protection it is essential that:
The sow’s immune system is ‘up-to-date’ in terms of the potentially harmful pathogens
1
in the environment into which the piglets will be born.
Adjuvants are used to stimulate and strengthen the immune response created by the antigen, so creating
a greater quantity of antibodies. There are a range of different adjuvants such as aluminium hydroxide and
water in oil emulsions. The latter release antigens slowly over a prolonged period of time but there is a
risk to human health and safety from accidental self- injection.

2 That the sow has produced plenty of antibody-rich colostrum. Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health developed, and extensively use in their pig vaccines, Diluvac Forte.
This tissue-friendly adjuvant is vitamin E based and supplies 75 mg / ml of vitamin E in the form
That each piglet – including the latter born ones - receives adequate amounts of colostrum. Piglets of dl α-tocopherol which itself is necessary for the immune system to fully function.
3
should consume colostrum equivalent to 5% of bodyweight (50-100ml) within the first few hours
of life. Once absorbed, colostral antibodies provide immediate protection against specific pathogens.

Colostral antibodies can have two ‘down-sides’. Firstly, they only provide passive immunity i.e. they are
of variable and usually relatively short term duration. For example E.coli colostral antibodies (IgG) only
give protection for the first week of life, thereafter protection is dependent upon other antibodies (IgA)
found in milk. Secondly, maternally derived antibodies (MDA) for certain pathogens (e.g. parvovirus)
can persist for 5-6 months, and in some cases can interfere with the required active response to vaccination
of the young gilt. Hence vaccination programmes need to be planned accordingly.

Vaccines and vaccination

Muscle histology - mild lymphocyte reaction after injection Muscle histology - vacuolation and severe lymphocyte
Vaccines imitate a natural infection and so encourage an immune response without causing clinical signs with Diluvac Forte reaction after injection with an oil-based adjuvant
of the disease. An understanding of how the immune system works enables vaccine manufacturers to
design and develop vaccines to assist in disease prevention, so keeping pigs healthy and profitable.

Diagrammatic representation of antigens in action

Vaccines typically contain antigens, an adjuvant and a Whilst keeping pigs away from infection by good bio-security is the best form of protection,
this however is not possible for all diseases or on all farms, so we rely on routine vaccination
preservative, -what types are used and what do they do? to provide protective immunity.

Inactivated vaccines are produced from whole or parts of killed organisms such as bacteria or viruses.
Inactivated vaccines are incapable of causing disease and the majority of vaccines used in pigs are of this type.
Examples include vaccines used to control parvovirus, erysipelas, E.coli and M. hyopneumoniae.
The pig is surrounded
by a host of infectious
Live or attenuated vaccines contain live viruses or bacteria which have been modified and weakened
pathogens in its
to render them incapable of causing disease. Live vaccines are generally given as a single dose and give
environment on the farm
a quicker onset of protection than inactivated antigens. One of the few examples of this type of vaccine
is Porcilis PRRS.

10 11
 By vaccinating pigs with Number and frequency of vaccinations
vaccines containing antigens
Although the majority of vaccines used on pig farms are dead vaccines, some require a single dose
representative of infectious
for the primary course e.g. M.hyo vaccines, other vaccines require a two dose primary course e.g. E.coli
pathogens prevalent on or
and erysipelas vaccines. Some vaccinations require an annual booster e.g. parvovirus whereas other
around the farm, the herd can
vaccinations are done more frequently on a parity basis, e.g. E.coli and clostridial vaccines.
be protected from disease by
Injected vaccines Antigens generate
the pig developing its own immunity. supply antigens antibody production = immunity

Primary course vaccination

The first vaccination in a primary course of two vaccinations creates a primary immune response which
Antibodies provide results in a small amount of antibody production; if not further stimulated this antibody response declines
protective immunity against to a level which may not be protective. By giving the second vaccination of the primary course – usually
antigens of bacteria, viruses 2-6 weeks after the primary vaccination - the resulting immune response is greater and longer-lasting.
and mycoplasmas that have See the figure below.
been given to the pig at the
time of vaccination. Note that each individual vaccine has a specific interval between the first and second vaccination, and
also for subsequent booster vaccinations. The frequency of vaccination is influenced by several factors;
you should consult your veterinary surgeon and the data sheet for each individual vaccine to check
the correct timings of administration, and never vary these without specific advice.
Pigs can co-exist with viruses, bacteria and mycoplasmas and still remain healthy; this equilibrium is due to
the level of immunity that the pig possesses being able to cope with the challenge posed by the pathogens.
Problems occur when, for a variety of reasons the infectious challenge outweighs the pig’s immunity.

Anamnestic
response
Infection challenge

Antibody titre
Primary immune
response

Time
Immunity
First Second
vaccination vaccination

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 Storage of veterinary medicines

Veterinary medicines must always be stored securely and

must only be accessible to authorised personnel. They must
be stored hygienically and under the appropriate conditions
of temperature and light if they are to remain effective.
Information regarding storage temperature and possible
sensitivity to light is provided on the product insert leaflet
and the label.

There are two types of lockable storage required

for veterinary medicines:
Store medicines safely away from children
In a refrigerator for products requiring
1
storage at between +2°C to +8°C

A cool store for products requiring

2
storage below 25°C

Preferably both facilities should be available and must

be secure to prevent access by children or general mis-use.

Badly managed fridge containing food, milk, part used Correctly managed fridge
vials and vaccination guns, all increasing the risk of vaccine
contamination. The freezer box has a build up of ice,
which could affect the fridge temperature and efficiency
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 Vaccine distribution, storage and handling

 Do ensure that the fridge is working properly

by checking the temperature frequently. A digital
thermometer or a temperature logger (see photo)
5 Don’t overstock the fridge which may result in poor air circulation
/ temperature control.

can give early warnings of a problem.

5 Don’t store food or laboratory samples in the medicine fridge as this could result

 Do defrost the fridge every 2-3 months to prevent

ice build-up and reduced efficiency.
in contamination.

5 Don’t use an old or unreliable fridge in which to store valuable veterinary medicines.

 Do prevent inadvertent freezing of medicines. This can result from an incorrect ‘cold setting’
or simply vials being pushed against the rear of the storage area. This can be avoided by not
over-filling, or by placing a small wooden or plastic frame against the rear wall of the storage 5 Don’t store and re-use vials with damaged, leaking or contaminated caps, or part-used
vials that have been contaminated.
area. Air circulation within the fridge is essential to maintain an even temperature.
Freezing products usually irreversibly damages them.

 Do frequently check expiry dates of stored medicines, place oldest products at the front
of the storage area to ensure that they are used first.

 Do clean all vials after use if returning to the fridge to avoid contamination.

 Do use vials either immediately or within 10 hours of opening them, or follow

manufacturer’s guidance, alternatively discard part-used vials if this is not possible.

 Do keep copies of up-to-date product leaflets readily available enabling consultation

by new staff or in the case of an emergency.

 Do have a responsible person with over-all management of the medicine store.

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 Injection Techniques

For routine vaccinations the majority of vets and pig Cleaning multi-dose syringes

producers favour the use of vial-mounted fixed dose Multi-dose syringes must be cleaned after use. Either dismantle and wash the parts then rinse in sterile
water and allow to dry in a dust-free environment before re-use. Single piece guns should be flushed
vaccination guns. These are easy to use and avoid with sterile water and completely emptied. Residues of soap, disinfectant or surgical spirit must be

contamination of the product to be injected as the removed as these can interfere with vaccine and other medicine efficacy.

vial is attached directly to the vaccination gun.

Other products, such as antibiotics, are also available in Individual syringes

injectable forms and can be given using similar equipment
It is important to have instruction in injection technique to ensure that the product is deposited into
the correct tissue to ensure good efficacy, that pig welfare is not compromised, and that the stockperson
avoids injury as a consequence of poor technique.
Where it is preferred to use a syringe and needle rather than a multi-dose vaccination gun to inject
several pigs, ensure that the correct dose is delivered and never use a needle which has been used to
inject a pig to withdraw further doses from the sterile vial. Disposable needles and syringes should
be discarded after use and not kept for repeated use over several days

The majority of injectable products for pigs are usually recommended to be given intramuscularly
Vaccination equipment (into muscle) or alternatively subcutaneously (under the skin). Intravenous (into a vein) administration
must only be done by a veterinary surgeon. The manufacturer’s recommendations in this respect are
There are many different types of
shown on the product insert leaflet or product label and must be adhered to in order to ensure efficacy.
vaccination gun; when mass vaccinating
a vaccination gun is most convenient as
It is important for products that are required to be stored at +2°C to +8°C that they are allowed to warm
the vial chamber automatically re-fills
to approximately 25°C, as this prevents discomfort or temperature shock. Do not microwave vaccine in
and multi-entry to the vial is avoided
order to speed up the warming process as this will irreversibly damage the vaccine - as does freezing.
relative to using a syringe. When used
correctly, vaccination guns have a delivery
accuracy of + 3%.Vaccination guns can
be easily cleaned and re-used.
(See photos of vaccination guns) A quick way to warm
vaccine is as follows.

Put some hand hot water

from the tap into the
vaccine conditioner.

Take the vials out of the

fridge and immerse them
in the hot water.

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Intramuscular injection
The intramuscular injection of sows, gilts and boars is best done
using a 16 gauge 38-44mm (1½” -1¾”) luer lock-type needle.
For pigs of lower weights and ages, see Table 1 for needles
of appropriate length and gauge.
Table 1
Needle length and gauge for intramuscular injection of pigs.
Pig Weight Length of Needle Thickness Gauge
Up to 20Kg 12 - 18mm (½”-¾”) 20-21
20 - 60Kg 18 - 25mm (¾”-1”) 19
60 - 100Kg 25 - 32mm (1”-1¼”) 18
Over 100Kg 38 - 44mm (1½”-1¾”) 16
The correct injection site is the neck muscle (M.brachiocephalicus)
in an area approximately 50mm - 75mm (2”-3”) behind the ear;
the needle must be inserted at 90° to the skin and parallel
to the floor. (See pictures showing good technique and position).
If the injection site is too high, or too low on the neck,
or if the needle is either too short (often shorter needles
are used to prevent them bending) or at an incorrect angle,
this may result in vaccine or other products being deposited
into fat or connective tissue. When this happens several
outcomes are possible - either uptake of the product is slow
due to the lower blood supply in non-muscular tissue, or
the fatty tissue ‘walls-off’ the product giving a poor immune
response. Abscesses are also more likely to form at the
injection site. (See the pictures showing poor technique).
All of Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health’s pig vaccine,
hormone and antimicrobial products are advised to be administered
by the intramuscular route.
20
Correct position for intramuscular vaccination
Incorrect vaccination position - too high
and wrong entry angle
Incorrect vaccination position - too low
Correct needle length and site of injection
Correct needle length but incorrect entry angle
Short needles fail to penetrate muscle
Subcutaneous injection
A shorter needle is generally used for subcutaneous injection,
typically 12 -25mm (½”-1”) and usually 18 gauge for breeding stock.
The correct injection site is under the soft loose skin in the
hollow area behind the ear. A fold of skin should be pinched
between the thumb and forefinger and the needle inserted at
an angle so that it runs under the skin (See photo). A subcutaneous
injection, correctly done, is more difficult to do than an
intramuscular injection as it usually requires that the pig
is restrained.
Subcutaneous vaccination
Intradermal injection
Intradermal (into the skin) vaccination without the use of a needle
is possible using the IDAL vaccination gun developed by Intervet
(See picture). A small volume of vaccine, 0.2 ml in the case of Porcilis
PRRS, is ‘blown’ through the outer layer of skin. Vaccine efficacy is
good, and there is minimal pain or risk of disease transmission
associated with the more traditional vaccination routes involving
needles. IDAL guns are expensive and hence are only justifiable for
large scale users of Porcilis PRRS vaccine. Only specific vaccines can
be delivered via the IDAL intradermal vaccination gun. Please refer
to the product data sheet concerning route of administration.
IDAL vaccination of weaners
Minimising disease spread and abscess formation
Vaccination of large numbers of pigs using the same equipment
can potentially increase the risk of disease spreading from pig to
pig via the needle. Dirt, hair and skin particles on the needle can,
if injected, cause abscesses.
It is advised that needles should be changed frequently – as a
guide after every 10th pig or / litter. The use of a Sterimatic® needle
guard (See photo) which can be attached to all popular plastic
multi-dose syringes enables the benefits of user safety to
be combined with automatic needle santization at modest cost.
Sterimatic® needle guard and steriliser
21
 Vaccine storage and distribution – the cool chain Vaccination of outdoor or loose-housed sows

Vaccines and other injectable products are delivered from the manufacturer’s refrigerated warehouse to a
pharmaceutical product distribution refrigerated warehouse in a refrigerated vehicle. Products are then
delivered, again in a refrigerated vehicle, to pharmaceutical wholesalers, who likewise deliver to veterinary
practice and animal health distributor’s premises. Here, the products are stored in refrigerators at +2 to +8°C.
Finally, they are delivered, again in refrigerated containers, to the end-users premises where they are stored
in a temperature – monitored refrigerator.
Both outdoor and indoor-housed sows require vaccination.
Outdoor pig producers face additional problems as they have
fewer opportunities to handle ‘needle-shy’ sows. The correct
time to vaccinate must not be compromised in order to coincide
with when sows are being handled. For example the correct time
to booster vaccinate with Porcilis COLI 6C is 2-3 weeks prior to
farrowing, and not when sows are being moved to the farrowing
paddock 5-7 days before farrowing. Ideally sows should be
confined in a farrowing stall, handling stall, on a livestock
trailer (See photo) or restrained using a snout snare.

The use of an extended vaccination gun (see photo) can be beneficial when vaccinating ‘shy’ loose-housed or
outdoor sows, this may enable sows to be vaccinated without restraint, for example whilst feeding.

Storage in vet practice Refrigerated delivery to farm Secure and refrigerated on-farm storage
/ animal health outlet

Vaccine handling on the day of vaccination

Keep the vaccine in a refrigerator until the day of use. Then place it in a clean container to take it to where
it will be administered. Do not store vaccine in the tractor cab / farm vehicle particularly in direct sunlight.
All vaccines must be stored in the fridge; some vaccines - including Porcilis Ery+Parvo, Porcilis Ery, Porcilis PCV
and Porcilis Porcoli DF – must be allowed to warm up to room temperature (20 to 25°C) before use
to avoid temperature shock and pain which can result in adverse reactions. This can occur particularly when
young pigs are vaccinated with a vaccine at 2 to 8°C when their body temperature is 39°C. Such products can
be warmed by removing from the refrigerator 3 hours before use, or warmed in hand hot water at 40-50°C.
Please read the particular product leaflet to ensure that you are familiar with both the correct temperatures
for storage and administration.

22 23
 Record Keeping

Vaccination of young pigs The purpose for recording the use of veterinary medicinal products (VMP’s) is to provide traceability of their
use in food-producing animals such as pigs, as well as enabling the effective recall of a batch of product
Young pigs are often given several vaccines within the first 4 weeks of life and it is important that they
should this be necessary. Recording the use of such products is a legal requirement as well as being required
are done correctly. The majority are vaccinated using a self-filling vaccination gun enabling both speed
by farm quality assurance schemes.
and accuracy when used correctly.

Booklets in which to record veterinary medicine use are available from the National Office of Animal Health
Many pig producers prefer to vaccinate into the ham area as the same person holding the pig can also
(NOAH; www.noah.co.uk) and the Animal Health Distributors Association (AHDA; www.ahda.org.uk) or
vaccinate it. Use of a heavy duty glove on the restraining hand reduces the risk of accidental self injection.
from The Pig Veterinary Society (www.pigvetsoc.org.uk).
(See photo)

The owner of food producing animals is responsible for keeping proof of purchase all VMP’s.
Vaccination into the neck area is preferable as this is a lower value area of the carcase, and if abscesses
The following must be recorded at the time of receiving VMP’s.
are formed less value is potentially lost. Vaccination into the neck usually requires two people to correctly
vaccinate pigs, hence vaccination into the ham area is often preferred. (See photo) Name of the product
Product batch number
Date of purchase
Quantity purchased
Name and address of the supplier

At the time of administering the veterinary medical

product the following must be recorded:

Name of the product / batch number

Protective leather glove on the non-syringe
holding hand
Date of use
Quantity used / pig
Identification number of the pig or group treated
Duration of treatment
Vaccination into the neck Withdrawal period and earliest date of permissible slaughter
Name of the person who administered the medicine

If the medicine is disposed of due to being out of date,

contaminated or no longer required then the following
Broken needles
must be recorded:
If the above guidelines are adhered to then the risk of a needle breaking-off in the pig will be very rare.
Name of the product disposed
If a needle does break-off during vaccination then the pig must be restrained, and if the needle is visible
Quantity of product disposed
it must be removed. If not removed, identify the pig, inspect the pig regularly, and advise the slaughterer
Date of disposal
prior to sending that the pig is being sent as a casualty due to retention of a broken needle. Such pigs
How and where it was disposed
are not appropriate to be slaughtered as assured under UK Quality Assured schemes.

All records must be kept for at least 5 years following the use or disposal of the product.
The use of stainless steel HDN (highly detectable needles) are advocated as these, unlike most others,
are detectable by abattoir metal detectors.

24 25
 Suspected adverse reactions
Although all licensed veterinary medicines undergo
rigorous assessment to prove that they are efficacious
and safe for use in the way recommended by the
manufacturer (as detailed on the package insert leaflet),
it is always possible that occasional pigs may react adversely
to any product.
The possibility of adverse reactions occurring e.g. allergies
to certain product components, may be mentioned on the
product insert leaflet. If adverse reactions occur, or if failure
to respond to vaccination is suspected, then inform your
veterinary surgeon or supplier. If your veterinary surgeon
considers this to be a genuine unexplainable failure or
adverse effect of the product, they will report it to the
UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), and to the
product manufacturer.
26
Why vaccines sometimes fail to work
There a number of reasons why a group or individual pigs that have been vaccinated may not be protected
following vaccination.
Cause of failure
Incorrect initial diagnosis
Use of the wrong vaccine
Incorrect timing of vaccination
Failure to give the full dose regime
Incorrect storage
/ administration temperature
Incorrect age of pig when vaccinated
Too long an interval between
booster vaccinations
Pig unable to develop
an immune response
Incorrect vaccination technique
Contamination of the vaccine vial
Vaccine used beyond expiry date
Insufficient time elapsed between
vaccination & response monitoring
Overwhelming disease challenge
Corrective action
Veterinary diagnosis after clinical inspection,
post-mortem or serology
Ensure that the vaccine used covers the disease
/ appropriate strains identified.
Check using the product data sheet or discuss
with your veterinary surgeon the correct timing
Check the number of doses required
Check that the correct volume is given
Check the storage temperature requirements on the product
data sheet, and if refrigeration is required, make sure the
refrigerator is working at the correct temperature. You may
need to discuss this aspect with your veterinary surgeon or
the manufacturer
Discuss with your vet the correct age at vaccination,
read the product data sheet
Discuss with your veterinary surgeon the correct interval
for boosters, and read the product data sheet
Check that pigs are healthy at the time
of vaccination and are the correct age
Check that the needle length is correct in relation to
the size of pig. Check if it is to be given intramuscularly
or subcutaneously. Ensure that the angle and location
at which the needle enters the pig is correct
Improve vaccination hygiene / management
Check vaccine expiry date before using; always use
the oldest vaccine that is within the expiry date first
Allow time for the immune response to develop; also for
the disease challenge in relation to immunity to be reduced
Identify and reduce the disease challenge by improving
management and hygiene
27
 Health, Safety
& Environmental considerations

Accidental self-injection Disposal of used product containers, needles and syringes

Even with trained staff, good facilities and restrained pigs, accidents can happen. If accidental self-injection
occurs the first rule is ‘don’t panic’. Most of the medicines used are unlikely to cause serious harm unless
significant amounts are injected, which is unlikely. Even live vaccines such as Porcilis PRRS do not pose
serious risk.
However, each incident needs to be dealt with properly as there is always a potential risk of infection.
Even if product has not been injected, a potentially contaminated needle will have created a puncture
wound which needs to be cleaned, disinfected and dressed to prevent infection. A sensible precaution
is to consider having an anti-tetanus vaccination. The incident should be recorded in the farm accident
book and reported to the nominated health and safety person.
Certain products may present a particular hazard if self-injected, even in small quantities. If this is the
case then there will be a clear warning on the product insert leaflet; it is important that the advice shown
here is carefully followed. If you are unsure what to do, contact your veterinary surgeon, doctor, product
manufacturer or go direct to your nearest hospital A & E department taking the product leaflet with you.
To improve operator safety and to reduce pig tissue damage Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health has
developed a potent adjuvant – Diluvac Forte – which is used in many of its pig vaccines.
Environmental and human safety concerns relating to the disposal of part-used or empty containers
and injection equipment have resulted in legislative controls.
Such products are classified as ‘Special Waste’ and must not be disposed of with household waste;
they must be disposed of using registered waste disposal contractors. Waste disposal contractors may
offer a service which supplies and collects a secure 50 litre capacity plastic bin in which to store used
vials and syringes.
A typical 500 sow breeder finisher unit may require one bin / month costing around £60 for disposal
and a replacement bin. Needles or ‘sharps’ are classified as ‘healthcare waste’ and are ideally collected
in a 10 litre capacity ‘sharps container’. A 500 sow unit may require two of these / year each costing
approximately £12. (prices correct at date of printing). (see photos)
Both types of container are ultimately incinerated at a licensed waste disposal site.
Inappropriate disposal of used vials, needles and syringes is not only a criminal offence but can leave
pig producers liable to be sued if somebody (e.g. refuse collector) is injured or harmed; therefore act
in a responsible manner.

Further suggested methods of improving operator safety are using the Sterimatic® guard (see picture)
or using a protective heavy duty leather glove on the non-syringe holding hand. (See photo).

Some veterinary medicines are potentially harmful to specific groups of people e.g. penicillins
are dangerous to penicillin-sensitive individuals; prostaglandins pose a harmful risk to women of
child-bearing age and to asthmatics. Where such risks are identified individuals should not be
permitted to handle these products.

Sterimatic® needle guard and steriliser Protective leather glove on the non-syringe Haz-Bin Vial collection Haz-Bin sharps container
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with needle exposed holding hand 29
 Pig Health Solutions from
Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health

Product Legal Category* Indicated use

Porcilis® AR-T POM-VPS Sow and gilt vaccine to reduce clinical signs of Atrophic Rhinitis

Porcilis® Ery POM-VPS Sow, gilt and grower pig vaccine to aid in the control of swine erysipelas

Porcilis® Ery+Parvo POM-V Combination vaccine to control erysipelas plus embryonic and foetal loss
due to porcine parvovirus infection

Porcilis® Coli 6C POM-VPS Combination vaccine to control scour in piglets caused by certain strains
of E.coli & Clostridium perfringens Type C

Porcilis® Porcoli DF POM-VPS Vaccine to control scour in piglets caused by frequently encountered
strains of E.coli
Porcilis® PRRS POM-V Vaccine to control reproductive and respiratory problems caused
by PRRS virus infection in sows and growing pigs

Porcilis® PCV POM-V Vaccine to reduce viraemia and improve weight gain in pigs infected
with PCV2

M+PAC POM-V One or 2 dose vaccine to reduce lung damage caused

by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection in growing pigs

Porcilis® M Hyo POM-V Vaccine to reduce lung damage caused by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae
infection in growing pigs

Porcilis® Glässer POM-V Vaccine to control lesions due to Haemophilus parasuis

infection which causes Glässer’s Disease

Planate POM-V Prostaglandin used to induce and synchronise farrowing

PG 600 POM-V Combination of 2 hormones to initiate oestrus in pre-pubertal gilts

and anoestrus sows

Oxytocin-S POM-V To assist contractions during farrowing and to promote milk let-down

Nuflor® Swine POM-V A broad spectrum antibiotic effective against a range of Gram –ve
Injectable and Gram +ve bacteria including Pasteurella multocida and Actinobacillus
pleuropneumoniae

Nuflor® DWC POM-V As above, and organisims susceptible to florfenicol, but administered via
the drinking water

Nuflor® Premix POM-V As above, administered by inclusion in the feed by a compounder

Cobactan 2.5% POM-V For the treatment of MMA in sows, and a range of Gram –ve and Gram +ve
Active ingredients list
injection bacteria causing Streptococcal meningitis, Glässer’s Disease, Greasy Pig Disease
Porcilis AR-T – Inactivated vaccine containing Pasteurella multocida dermonecrotic toxin (as toxoid) and inactivated Bordetella
and respiratory problems caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae bronchiseptica cells. Porcilis Ery – Inactivated vaccine containing Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae strain M2 (serotype 2). Porcilis Ery + Parvo –
Panacur 4% POM-VPS For inclusion in feed for the control of intestinal worms in Inactivated vaccine containing Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae strain M2 (serotype 2) and Porcine Parvovirus (PPV) strain 014. Porcilis Coli 6C
powder sows and growing pigs – A vaccine containing cell-free pilus antigens of E.coli, strains K88ab, K88ac, K99, 987P and purified toxoid of Clostridium perfringens Type
B and purified toxoids of Types C and D. Porcilis Porcoli DF – A vaccine containing E.coli fimbrial adhesins F4ab (K88ab), F4ac (K88ac), F5
Panacur Pellets POM-VPS A ready to use product for the control of intestinal worms (K99), and F6 (987P) and LT toxoid. Porcilis PRRS – Live vaccine containing live attenuated PRRS virus strain DV. Porcilis PCV – Vaccine
containing porcine circovirus type 2 ORF2 subunit antigen. M+PAC – Vaccine containing inactivated Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Porcilis
1.5% in sows & growing pigs
M Hyo – Vaccine containing inactivated whole cell concentrate of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae strain 11. Porcilis Glässer – Vaccine
ResPig® Diagnostic A diagnostic, management assessment and economic evaluation containing inactivated whole bacterial cells of Haemophilus parasuis serotype 5, strain 4800. Planate – A solution for injection containing
the synthetic prostaglandin analogue cloprostenol sodium. PG600 – A freeze dried presentation of hCG and PMSG in combination with
Service of respiratory problems, demonstrating cost:benefit of intervention.
solvent for reconstitution and injection. Oxytocin-S – A solution for injection containing oxytocin acetate. Nuflor Swine Injectable – A
solution for injection containing florfenicol. Nuflor DWC – A concentrate for oral solution containing florfenicol. Nuflor Premix – A powder
PRRS VetCheck® Diagnostic An independent blood testing service for PRRS
containing florfenicol, used to prepare a medicated feeding stuff. Cobactan injection – A suspension for injection containing cefquinome.
Service Panacur powder – A premix for medicated feed containing fenbendazole. Panacur pellets – A pellet formulation containing fenbendazole.

* See Page 7 for information on legal categories.

Further information is available on request from Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health 01908-685685.
Advice on the use of these products and medicines must be sought from a veterinary surgeon or SQP.
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