The vaccine should not be used on farms or in flocks where Orf disease is not a problem.
Do not vaccinate ewes less than 7 weeks before lambing. Do not vaccinate pregnant ewes except at the recommended stage of pregnancy.
Scabigard is a live virus vaccine, and thus care must be taken to apply the vaccine only to the intended vaccination site and to not contaminate other sites such as mouth, feet, superficial wounds or abraded skin of the animal. Vaccinated lambs may transmit the disease to ewes’ udders.
Ewes that are vaccinated prior to lambing should not be moved to the proposed place of lambing until sufficient time has passed for the scabs to drop off (minimum of 7 weeks).
Where indoor housing is practiced, routine cleansing and disinfection of the premises is an important aid in the control of Orf. In cases where vaccination of lambs cannot be delayed until turnout, veterinary advice should be sought as to how to minimise the risk of infection.
Ewes with unvaccinated lambs at foot are best to have their vaccination delayed until the lambs are weaned, except in case of emergency. Vaccinate these ewes as for pregnant ewes.
For a period of up to 7 weeks after vaccination, or until the scabs resulting from the vaccine “take” have dropped totally, animals will be shedding virus infected scabs. During this time, vaccinated animals should not be:
∙ allowed access to lambing pens or pasture where ewes and their lambs will subsequently be grazed;
∙ allowed to come into contact with unvaccinated sheep and susceptible species;
∙ marketed, slaughtered or shorn.
Care must be taken not to contaminate the ground area with vaccine or used materials due to the persistence of Orf virus in the environment.
Do not vaccinate ewes or lambs during wet weather.
Vaccination of ewes before lambing will not provide protective immunity to the lambs via the colostrum. Therefore, if Orf disease is a problem in the lamb flock as well, the lambs should also be vaccinated to ensure protection throughout the entire flock.
No adverse effect has been recorded as a result of the use of this vaccine during pregnancy or at 7-8 weeks prior to lambing. Do not use within 7 weeks of lambing. Do not use in other stages of pregnancy.
Lactating ewes can be vaccinated; ewes with lambs at foot should only be vaccinated at the recommended site.
No information is available on the safety and efficacy of this vaccine when used with any other veterinary medicinal product. A decision to use this vaccine before or after any other veterinary medicinal product therefore needs to be made on a case by case basis.
Do not mix with any other veterinary medicinal product.
Do not administer or treat with surface-active agents such as antiseptics, sprays or dips within 7 days before or after administration of the vaccine. Do not administer corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs within 28 days before or after administration of the vaccine.
Care should be taken to avoid treatment of the animals near the period of vaccination with substances or medicaments that might interfere with the “take” of this live vaccine.
Effects that characterise the vaccine “take” are described in the Dosage & Administration section.
Secondary bacterial infection may be observed in association with the scarification wounds; specific therapy may be required.
In post marketing experience, injection site reactions, such as a lump, swelling and in some cases granulomatous lesions at the site of skin scarification were observed very rarely.
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).
Withdrawal period:
Zero days.
User warnings:
Orf disease is caused by a virus which is communicable to man. The vaccine is capable of causing a skin infection in humans so should not be used by immuno-suppressed individuals.
In the case of accidental self-administration (injection or scratch), ingestion or spillage onto the skin or into the eye, seek medical advice immediately and show the package insert or label to the physician.
Rubber gloves should be worn when handling this product or dismantling the Applicator. Hands and arms should be washed after vaccination.