Target species
Chickens.
Indications for use
Active immunisation of chickens to reduce the respiratory signs of Infectious Bronchitis caused by the variant strain IB 4-91.
Contraindications
None.
Special warnings for each target species
Vaccinate healthy animals only.
The vaccine virus may spread from vaccinated to non-vaccinated chickens and appropriate care should be taken to separate vaccinated from non-vaccinated.
Wash and disinfect hands and equipment after vaccinating to avoid spread of the virus.
Special precautions for use
Nobilis IB 4-91 is intended to protect chickens against respiratory signs of disease caused by IBV variant strain 4-91 only and should not be used as a replacement for other IBV vaccines. The product should only be used after it has been established that IBV variant strain 4-91 is epidemiologically relevant in the area. Care should be taken to avoid the introduction of the variant strain into an area where it is not present.
Care should be taken to avoid spread of the vaccine virus from vaccinated chickens to pheasants.
Operator warnings
In case of spray administration, personal protective equipment consisting of masks with eye protection should be worn when handling the veterinary medicinal product.
Adverse reactions
In laboratory studies and field trials:
Vaccination with Nobilis IB 4-91 may very commonly induce mild respiratory signs of disease which may persist for a few days depending on the health and condition of the chickens.
In post marketing experience:
In very rare cases mild respiratory signs of disease are reported.
The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention:
- very common (more than 1 in 10 animals treated displaying adverse reaction(s))
- common (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 100 animals treated)
- uncommon (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 1,000 animals treated)
- rare (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals treated)
- very rare (less than 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports).
Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
Nobilis IB 4-91 has been shown to be safe in layers and breeders during lay.
Interactions
Safety and efficacy data are available which demonstrate that:
- this vaccine can be mixed and administered with Nobilis IB Ma5 for spray or intranasal/ocular administration to commercial chicks from one day of age onwards. For the mixed products the onset of immunity is 3 weeks and the duration of immunity is 6 weeks for the claimed protection against the Massachusetts strains and the variant strain 4-91 of IBV. The safety parameters of the mixed vaccines are not different from those described for the vaccines administered separately. Simultaneous use of both vaccines increases the risk of recombination of viruses and potential emergence of new variants. However, the chance of a hazard occurring has been estimated very low and is minimized by routinely vaccinating all chickens on the premise at the same time and cleaning and disinfection after each production round. Read the product information of Nobilis IB Ma5 before use.
- Nobilis IB 4-91 can be administered to day-old chicks that are vaccinated either by the subcutaneous or in ovo route with Innovax-ND-IBD.
- Nobilis IB 4-91 can be administered to day-old chicks that are vaccinated either by the subcutaneous or in ovo route with Innovax-ND-ILT.
Amounts to be administered and administration route
Coarse spray, oculonasal or in drinking water use.
At least 3.6 log10 EID50 (1 dose) per animal by coarse spray vaccination, drinking water or intranasal/ocular administration. Where the number of chickens is between the standard dosages, the next higher dosage should be used.
The vaccine may be delivered as a freeze-dried cake in a glass vial or as freeze-dried spheres in cups. In case of the latter presentation the cups may contain 3 up to 100 spheres depending on the required
dosages and production yields. In case of the product presented in cups, do not use the product if the
contents are brownish and stick to the container as this indicates that the integrity of the container has
been breached. Each container should be used immediately and completely after opening.
Guideline:
Broiler: The vaccine can be administered to 1-day-old chicks and older chickens by coarse spray or by intranasal/ocular administration. The vaccine can be administered to 7‑day and older chickens by drinking water.
Future layers and breeders: The vaccine can be administered to future layers and breeders from day old onwards via intranasal/ocular route or coarse spray. The vaccine can be administered to 7‑day and older chickens by drinking water. For prolonged immunity, chickens should be revaccinated every 6 weeks after the initial administration.
Spray method: The vaccine should preferably be dissolved in distilled water or alternatively in cool, clean water. The appropriate number of vials should be opened under water or the content of the cup(s) should be poured into the water. In both cases mix the water containing the vaccine well before use. After reconstitution the suspension looks clear.
The volume of water for reconstitution should be sufficient to ensure an even distribution when sprayed onto the chickens. This will vary according to the age of the chickens being vaccinated and the management system, but 250 to 400 ml of water per 1,000 doses is suggested. The vaccine suspension should be spread evenly over the correct number of chickens, at a distance of 30-40 cm using a coarse spray, preferably when the chickens are sitting together in dim light. The spray apparatus should be free from sediments, corrosion and traces of disinfectants and ideally should be used for vaccination purposes only.
Drinking water: The vials should be opened under water or the content of the cup(s) should be poured into the water. In both cases mix the water containing the vaccine well before use. After reconstitution the suspension looks clear. Use cool, clean water to dissolve the vaccine. For administration of the vaccine, as a general rule, dissolve 1,000 doses in one litre per age in days up to a maximum volume of 20 litres per 1,000 doses. For heavy breeds, or in hot weather, the quantity of water may be increased up to 40 litres per 1,000 doses. By adding approximately 2 grams of skimmed milk powder or 20 ml of liquid skimmed milk per litre of water the virus retains its activity longer.
Ensure that all the vaccine suspension is consumed within 1-2 hours. The vaccine should be given in the early morning as this is the main period of water intake or during the cool period on a hot day. Feed should be available when vaccinating. Water should be withheld before vaccination to make the chickens thirsty. The length of time of water deprivation is strongly dependent on the climatological circumstances. Water withholding should be kept as short as possible with a minimum of half an hour. A sufficient number of water containers to provide adequate drinking space is essential. These should be clean and free from traces of detergents and disinfectants.
Turn on mains water when all the vaccine water has been consumed.
Intranasal/ocular administration: Dissolve the vaccine in physiological saline solution or sterile distilled water (usually 30 ml per 1,000 doses, 75 ml per 2,500 doses) and administer by means of a standardized dropper. One drop should be applied onto one nostril or one eye. Ensure that the nasal drop is inhaled before freeing the bird.
Ocular/intranasal administration or coarse spray, give the best responses and these should be the methods of choice, especially when vaccinating young chickens.
Vaccination programme:
The veterinarian should determine the optimum vaccination schedule according to the local situation.
Guideline when the product is used with Nobilis IB Ma5:
The instructions on reconstitution of both lyophilisates and the subsequent application are to be followed as outlined above for spray and intranasal/ocular administration. The same volumes as for the single product should be used.
In-use shelf life after mixing: 2 hours.
Overdose
Ten times the maximum dose was shown to be safe for the target species by all the recommended routes and methods of administration.
Withdrawal period
Zero days.