Target species
Chickens (broiler, future layer and future breeder pullets).
Turkeys
Indications for use
In broiler chickens from the age of one day:- Active immunisation against Newcastle disease to reduce mortality and clinical signs associated with the disease. Onset of immunity: 14 days after primary vaccination. Duration of immunity induced by the vaccination scheme described under section 'Amounts to be administered and administration route': protection until the age of 6 weeks.
In future layer and future breeder pullets from the age of 4 weeks:- Priming for active immunisation against egg drop caused by Newcastle disease before vaccination with an inactivated vaccine (strain Ulster 2C) prior to the beginning of lay. For duration of immunity of full schedule, see the leaflet of the inactivated booster vaccine.
In turkeys from the age of one day:- Active immunisation against Newcastle disease to reduce mortality and clinical signs associated with the disease. Onset of immunity: 21 days after primary vaccination. Duration of immunity: 7 weeks after a single administration
Contra-indications
None
Special warnings for each target species
Vaccinate healthy birds only.
Special precautions for use in animals
Vaccine virus can spread to unvaccinated birds. In turkeys, this spread has been shown to be less than 21 days after administration of a 10-time overdose. Infection of unvaccinated birds with the vaccine virus from vaccinated birds does not induce any sign of disease. Moreover, a reversion to virulence trial carried out in the laboratory has shown that the vaccine virus does not acquire any pathogenic characteristic after 10 passages in chickens. Therefore, spread to unvaccinated birds, in the present state of knowledge, can be considered as safe.
In turkeys, the onset of immunity was evaluated in SPF seronegative birds. The impact of maternally derived antibodies on the immediate response to vaccination in turkeys is unknown. The duration of immunity was studied in the presence of maternally derived antibodies.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the product to animals
Care should be taken when handling the vaccine solution.
Newcastle disease virus can cause a transitory conjunctivitis in man. Since this vaccine has been prepared with live, attenuated microorganisms, appropriate measures should be taken to prevent contamination of the handler and other people that collaborate in the process. Therefore, during preparation and administration of the vaccine suspension, it is recommended to wear respiratory and eye protection in compliance with current European standards. For more information, contact the manufacturer.
Hands should be washed and disinfected after vaccinating.
Adverse reactions
None known. In future layer and future breeder pullets, refer to the leaflet of the inactivated booster vaccine.
Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
Do not use in birds in lay.
Interactions
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.
Amounts to be administered and administration route
In broiler chickens: Primary vaccination by ocular route (eye drop application) or oculonasal route (coarse spray application): from the age of one day. Booster vaccination by oral route (drinking water application): at the age of 2 to 3 weeks. The minimal interval between the two vaccinations should be of 2 weeks.
In future layer and future breeder pullets: Two administrations by ocular route (eye drop application), oculonasal route (coarse spray application) or oral route (drinking water application): at the age of 4 weeks and 8 weeks. Vaccination with the product should be followed by vaccination with an inactivated vaccine (strain Ulster 2C) prior to the beginning of lay to provide sufficient efficacy.
In turkeys: Vaccination by oculonasal route (coarse spray application): from the age of one day.
Method of administration: To reconstitute and prepare the vaccine, use clean cold water. For the preparation and administration of the vaccine, use clean material free from disinfectant and/or antiseptic. Wait until complete dissolution of the tablets before using the vaccine solution. The reconstituted vaccine is a blue solution, and a fine foam layer may form over the surface
- Individual vaccination: ocular use
For 1,000 birds, dissolve a 1,000-doses tablet into 50 ml of boiled and cooled non chlorinated drinking water prepared in a clean container free from disinfectant and/or antiseptic. Wait until complete dissolution of the tablet, then use a syringe to transfer the vaccine solution to the dropper. It is recommended to prepare the vaccine in a clean area separate from the animals.Use a calibrated dropper, so as to distribute 50 µl-drops. Place one drop of the vaccine solution on the eye of each bird, allow the drop to spread and release the bird
- Mass vaccination, oral route:
For 1,000 birds, dissolve a 1,000-doses tablet into the volume of non-chlorinated drinking water to be consumed within one to two hours. When using mains water, treat all water to come into contact with the vaccine with skimmed milk powder at a rate of 2.5 g per litre in order to neutralise traces of chlorine. Distribute the vaccine solution to the birds. Birds should be deprived of water for two hours prior to vaccination.
- Mass vaccination, coarse spray application:
For 1,000 birds, dissolve a 1,000-doses tablet in the volume of non-chlorinated drinking water appropriate for the type of sprayer used (pressure-sprayer or sprayer with rotary cone). Spray the vaccine solution above the birds using a spray capable of producing micro-droplets (mean diameter 80-100 µm).For proper vaccine distribution, make sure that birds are closely confined together during spraying. The ventilation system of the poultry house should be inoperative during the spray administration.
Overdose
No side-effect has been observed following administration of 10 times the recommended dose of vaccine.
Withdrawal periods
Zero days.
IMMUNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Immunologicals for Aves-Live viral vaccines- Newcastle disease virus ATCvet code: QI01AD06.
The vaccine contains live Newcastle disease virus, VG/GA-AVINEW strain. The VG/GA-AVINEW strain is lentogenic and naturally apathogenic for chickens (genotype I, class II). The vaccine induces active immunisation against Newcastle disease, as demonstrated by challenge test in broiler chickens and turkeys.