Store Vaccines Properly to Ensure Their Effectiveness

Cattlemen commonly vaccinate cattle to prevent disease. But if the vaccines are not handled properly, the products can loose their effectiveness.

“When it comes to caring for your vaccines, there is a definite right and wrong way to go about it,” says Dr. Mac Devin with Fort Dodge Animal Health. “Modified Live Vaccines (MLV) are relatively fragile. They are sensitive to light, disinfectants, detergents, heat and time.” Killed Virus Vaccines are not as fragile, but still require care in handling.

Modified Live Vaccines are made up of a small dose of live viruses that are similar to the virus the vaccine is trying to protect against, according to www.yourcattle.com. The viruses or “bugs” reproduce in the animal, and induce an immune response against the disease. These live viruses do not make the animals sick, but – in some instances – are believed to provide a stronger and longer immune response than killed virus vaccines. Some commonly used MLV vaccines in cattle include vaccines to prevent respiratory disease.

Killed vaccines are made up of a large amount of viruses that do not reproduce in the animal. By introducing the viruses into the animal’s system, it triggers an immune response. With either type of vaccine, the goal is to get the animal disease resistant. Blackleg and Vibrio-Lepto vaccines are some widely used killed vaccines.

Modified Live Vaccines must be mixed before use. Once they are mixed, they should be used as soon as possible. They will not keep for use the next day. Many experts recommend buying small dose vials of MLV vaccines so only the amount needed will be mixed. With little bottles, there is less left over vaccine to throw away.

MLV are very sensitive to their environment. Devin recommends keeping all vaccines away from direct sunlight and in the refrigerator as long as possible. He also suggests keeping a cooler with ice or ice packs beside the chute to keep the vaccine as cool as possible throughout the day.

When it’s time to use the vaccine, make sure the syringes are clean, and don’t have any disinfectant, soap residue or gyp/hard water residue in them. “I recommend a final rinse with sterile water or distilled water,” advises Devin. “Syringes and other instruments can be sterilized by boiling them or placing them disassembled in a pressure cooker.” After use, it’s best to clean them with hot water.

When properly stored and used, vaccines can prevent a large variety of livestock diseases. However, if the vaccines are not stored and used correctly, it will provide as much disease protection as squirting the vaccine on the ground.