Bluetongue vaccine technical Q&As

16 June 2008

Further to the launch by Intervet/Schering Plough Animal Health (as the new company is now named) of its bluetongue vaccine – Bovilis^® BTV8 – in May, The Cube has obtained answers to a range of possible questions that vets may have about the vaccine and its use.

What is the vaccine?

Bovilis BTV8 in an inactivated vaccine against bluetongue virus serotype-8 (BTV-8) infection. It has been developed for the control of the disease in sheep and cattle. It is supplied in 20ml and 50ml plastic PET bottles

What is the vaccine’s legal category?

It is a prescription-only medicine – veterinarian (POM-V).

What is the dose rate?

In sheep it is a single 1ml injection. In cattle, the protocol is two injections, each of 1ml given three weeks apart. Stock to be vaccinated must be healthy.

How do you store the vaccine?

The vaccine needs to be stored in the fridge at 2ºC to 8ºC. Once the bottle has been opened the contents must be used within eight hours.

Can you vaccinate lactating animals – what is the withhold?

Because this vaccine has a provisional licence there is no data currently available on the use in pregnant or lactating animals, but there is nil milk withhold.

Can Bovilis BTV8 be used concurrently with other vaccines?

NO. It is necessary to allow a vaccine-free period of at least two weeks before and after vaccination with Bovilis BTV8. There are very few products that are licensed to be used together, because of the massive workload involved in testing all the possible combinations. This means that most have advice not to be used at the same time

What about in-calf animals and calves?

The vaccine has yet to be tested on pregnant animals and it cannot be used on animals under one month of age.

Is it really necessary to vaccinate?

Yes, vaccination is the only real option because the vector is an insect and there are no guaranteed protection methods. Control by trapping midges and removing their breeding grounds may reduce vector numbers. Using deltamethrin-based pour on products has also been shown to be effective at killing midges. Defra and SEERAD advise keeping stock away from low-lying damp grazing, particularly at dawn and dusk. Dung heaps or slurry pits should be covered or removed, and their perimeters (where most larvae are found) regularly scraped. Preventing midge bites is virtually impossible and Dutch experience reports that housing stock at dawn and dusk to avoid midges wasn’t really effective.

The EC vaccination policy aims to reduce clinical disease and losses and contain the spread of disease both within infected countries and BTV-free countries. It needs to be done for at least three years with close to 100% cover in the infected zone and buffer zone.

Do all animals have to be vaccinated?

Yes, if you want to stop the disease spreading through your own herd and to the rest of the country.

Does a new needle have to be used for each animal?

No, however Intervet recommends the use of an automatic vaccination/multi-injector gun.

Is the vaccine proven to work?

As part of the licensing process we have provided the VMD with studies demonstrating the vaccine's effectiveness and safety.

What are the movement rules for vaccinated animals?

Under EU law, vaccination can only be carried out within a designated protection zone (PZ). Vaccinated livestock will be able to move subject to specific conditions, so check the Defra, Welsh Assembly or Scottish Government websites for the latest information.

Where can I find out more?

There are a number of websites that contain further information.