Dose
Sheep and lambs over 8 weeks of age: 5 ml initial dose followed by a 2 ml dose 6 weeks later.
Lambs 2–8 weeks of age, from unvaccinated ewes or ewes of unknown vaccination status: 2 ml initial dose followed by a second dose 4–6 weeks later.
Cattle of all ages: 5 ml initial dose followed by a second 5 ml dose 6 weeks later.
Revaccination
A single dose (2 ml for sheep, 5 ml for cattle) should be administered at 12 month intervals.
Administration
By subcutaneous injection preferably in the loose skin on the side of the neck, observing aseptic precautions. Shake thoroughly before use. Syringes and needles should be sterilised before use and the injection should be made through an area of clean, dry skin, taking aseptic precautions against contamination.
Vaccination programme
Sheep: The vaccine course should be completed at least two weeks before maximum immunity is required. This may be either a period of risk or in pregnant ewes during lambing.
Use during pregnancy: In lambing flocks, to ensure maximum protection of the lambs until 12 weeks of age, previously vaccinated ewes are best injected 2 weeks before lambing is due to commence. However, provided lambing in the group will not extend beyond a 6 week period, previously vaccinated pregnant ewes may be injected at any time from 6 to 2 weeks before the group is due to commence lambing.
Lambs: Lambs born from fully vaccinated ewes should not be given their first dose of Covexin 8 until 8 to 12 weeks of age, since the presence of maternally derived antibodies may interfere with the response to C. tetani and C. novyi type B. Lambs born from unvaccinated ewes may be given their first dose of Covexin 8 from 2 weeks of age.
Cattle: The vaccine course should be completed at least two weeks before maximum immunity is required. This may be either a period of risk or in pregnant cattle before calving.
Use during pregnancy: For passive protection of calves, previously vaccinated pregnant cattle should be vaccinated during the period 2-8 weeks before calving.
Calves: For an optimum immune response, calves from cows vaccinated during pregnancy should not be vaccinated until 8-12 weeks of age.