Target species
Chickens and embryonated chicken eggs
Indications for use, specifying the target species
For active immunisation of 18-day-old embryonated chicken eggs or one-day-old chicks to reduce mortality and clinical signs caused by Newcastle disease virus and to reduce mortality, clinical signs and lesions caused by virulent Marek’s disease virus. Onset of immunity against Newcastle disease for broilers and layers: 3 weeks of age. Duration of immunity against Newcastle disease for broilers: 9 weeks of age. Duration of immunity against Newcastle disease for layers: 18 weeks of age.
Onset of immunity against Marek’s disease for broilers and layers: 1 week of age. Duration of immunity for broilers and layers: A single vaccination is sufficient to provide protection during the risk period of infection with Marek’s disease virus.
Contraindications
None.
Special warnings for each target species
Vaccinate healthy animals only.
Special precautions for use
Special precautions for use in animals
The vaccine strain was shown to be excreted by chickens and there was a slow spread to turkeys which was not detectable at 35 days but was detectable after 42 days of a contact study. Safety trials show the excreted vaccine strain is not harmful in turkeys; however, special precautions should be taken to avoid spreading of the vaccine strain to turkeys.
No spread was demonstrated between chickens.
It should be ensured that the vaccine suspension is mixed regularly in a gentle way during the vaccination session to guarantee that the vaccine suspension remains homogenous and that the correct vaccine virus titre is administered (e.g. when automatic in-ovo injection machines are used or during long vaccination sessions).
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
Liquid nitrogen containers and vaccine ampoules should be handled by properly trained personnel only. Personal protective equipment consisting of protective gloves, spectacles and boots should be worn when handling the veterinary medicinal product, before withdrawing from liquid nitrogen, during the ampoule thawing and opening operations. Frozen glass ampoules may explode during sudden temperature changes. Store and use liquid nitrogen only in a dry and well-ventilated place. Inhalation of the liquid nitrogen is dangerous. Personnel involved in the treatment of vaccinated birds should follow hygiene principles and take particular care in handling litter from vaccinated chickens.
Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness)
None known.
Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
Laying birds: Do not use in birds in lay and within 4 weeks before the start of the laying period.
Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Safety and efficacy data are available which demonstrate that this vaccine can be mixed and administered with Cevac Transmune by in ovo or subcutaneous vaccination. The mixed products protect against Newcastle disease virus, Marek’s disease virus and very virulent avian Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) viruses. The safety and efficacy of the mixed vaccines are not different from those described for the vaccines administered separately. Read also the product information of Cevac Transmune before use.
In-ovo:
One single dose of 0.05 ml is injected into each 18-day-old embryonated broiler chicken egg. Match the dose size of the vaccines and the sterile solvent according to the table below.
Vectormune ND | Cevac Transmune | Sterile solvent |
2 x 2,000 doses | 2 x 2,000 doses | 200 ml |
1 x 4,000 doses | 1 x 4,000 doses | 200 ml |
2 x 4,000 doses | 2 x 4,000 doses | 400 ml |
4 x 4,000 doses | 4 x 4,000 doses | 800 ml |
5 x 4,000 doses | 5 x 4,000 doses | 1000 ml |
6 x 4,000 doses | 6 x 4,000 doses | 1200 ml |
8 x 4,000 doses | 8 x 4,000 doses | 1600 ml |
Subcutaneous use:
One single injection of 0.2 ml per chick is applied for broilers at one day of age. Match the dose size of the vaccines and the sterile solvent according to the table below.
Vectormune ND | Cevac Transmune | Sterile solvent |
2 x 1,000 doses | 1 x 2,000 doses | 400 ml |
1 x 2,000 doses | 1 x 2,000 doses | 400 ml |
2 x 2,000 doses | 2 x 2,000 doses | 800 ml |
1 x 4,000 doses | 1 x 4,000 doses | 800 ml |
4,000 + 1,000 doses | 4,000 + 1,000 doses | 1000 ml |
3 x 2,000 doses | 3 x 2,000 doses | 1200 ml |
2 x 4,000 doses | 2 x 4,000 doses | 1600 ml |
- Draw up 2 ml of sterile solvent into a 5 ml syringe then draw up the thawed content of Vectormune ND ampoule in it.
- Draw up 2 ml of sterile solvent into another 5 ml syringe then dissolve the content of Cevac Transmune vial in it.
- Transfer the dissolved vaccines into the solvent bag and mix by gentle agitation.
Safety and efficacy data are available which demonstrate that this vaccine can be mixed and administered with Cevac MD Rispens by subcutaneous application. Read also the product information of Cevac MD Rispens before use.
Overview table for recommended dilution possibilities of different presentations in case of associated use:
No. of ampoules x doses (D) | Solvent presentation (ml) | Volume of one dose (ml) |
Cevac MD Rispens | Vectormune ND |
1 x 1,000D | 1 X 1,000 D | 200 | 0.20 |
1 X 2,000 D | 1 X 2,000 D | 400 |
2 X 2,000 D | 2 X 2,000 D | 800 |
1 X 4,000 D | 1 X 4,000 D | 800 |
4000 + 1000 D | 4000 + 1000 D | 1000 |
3 X 2000 D | 3 X 2000 D | 1200 |
2 X 4000 D | 2 X 4000 D | 1600 |
No information is available on the safety and efficacy of this vaccine when used with any other veterinary medicinal product, except Cevac Transmune and Cevac MD Rispens (where it is marketed). 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-ovo and subcutaneous use.
In-ovo:
One single dose of 0.05 ml is injected into each 18-day-old embryonated broiler chicken egg. For in-ovo application an automatic in-ovo egg injector can be used. In-ovo equipment should be calibrated to ensure that a 0.05 ml dose is applied to each egg.
Subcutaneous use:
One single injection of 0.2 ml per chick is applied for broilers or layers at one day of age. The vaccine may be injected by an automatic syringe.
Overview table for dilution possibilities of different presentations:
For in-ovo administration:
Vaccine ampoule presentation (No. of vaccine ampoules multiplied by doses needed) | Solvent presentation (ml) | Volume of one dose (ml) |
2 x 2,000 | 200 | 0.05 |
1 x 4,000 | 200 | 0.05 |
2 x 4,000 | 400 | 0.05 |
4 x 4,000 | 800 | 0.05 |
5 x 4,000 | 1000 | 0.05 |
6 x 4,000 | 1200 | 0.05 |
8 x 4,000 | 1600 | 0.05 |
The speed of automatic injection is at least 2,500 eggs per hour, therefore solvent presentation of at least or more than 400 ml is recommended to prime and inject for longer than 10 minutes. In-ovo equipment should be calibrated to ensure that a 0.05 ml dose is applied to each egg.
Solvent presentation smaller than 400 ml are not recommended to be used for in-ovo application by an automated machine as it may not be enough to prime the machine and to inject for longer than 10 minutes. The 200 ml presentation may be used for manual vaccination.
For subcutaneous administration:
Vaccine ampoule presentation (No. of vaccine ampoules multiplied by doses needed) | Solvent presentation (ml) | Volume of one dose (ml) |
1 x 1,000 | 200 | 0.20 |
1 x 2,000 | 400 | 0.20 |
2 x 2,000 | 800 | 0.20 |
1 x 4,000 | 800 | 0.20 |
4,000 + 1,000 | 1000 | 0.20 |
3 x 2,000 | 1200 | 0.20 |
2 x 4,000 | 1600 | 0.20 |
The usual aseptic precautions should be applied to all administration procedures. Be familiar with all safety and precautionary measures for handling liquid nitrogen in order to prevent personal injury.
Preparation of vaccine suspension for injection:
1After matching the dose size of the vaccine with the solvent size, quickly remove the exact number of ampoules needed from the liquid nitrogen container.
2Draw up 2 ml of solvent into a 5 ml syringe.
3Thaw rapidly the contents of the ampoules by gentle agitation in water at 27–39°C.
4As soon as they are completely thawed, open ampoules holding them at arms length in order to prevent any risk of injury should the ampoule break.
5Once the ampoule is open, slowly draw up the content into the 5 ml sterile syringe already containing 2 ml of solvent with a needle of at least 18 gauge diameter.
6Transfer the suspension into the solvent bag. The diluted vaccine prepared as described is mixed by gentle agitation.
7Withdraw a portion of the diluted vaccine into the syringe to rinse the ampoule. Remove the washing from the ampoule and inject it gently into the solvent bag. Repeat one or two times.
8The diluted vaccine prepared as described is mixed by gentle agitation so as to be ready for use.
Repeat the operations in point 2 to 7 for the appropriate number of ampoules to be thawed. Use the vaccine immediately, slowly mix regularly to ensure uniform suspension of cells and use within a period not exceeding 2 hours.
After adding the content of the ampoule to the solvent, the ready to use product is a clear, red coloured suspension for injection. Discard any ampoules that have been accidentally thawed. Do not re-freeze under any circumstances. Do not re-use opened containers of diluted vaccine.
Overdose (symptoms, emergency procedures, antidotes), if necessary
No symptoms were observed after the administration of a 10-fold dose of vaccine.
Withdrawal period(s)
Zero days.