Intervet/Schering-Plough has announced the replacement of UK's leading infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) vaccine - Bovilis IBR - with Bovilis IBR Marker Live.
 

The live marker vaccine offers the same level of IBR protection as the non-marker vaccine, but delivers additional benefits, said company vet Rosemary Booth.

The non-marker vaccine can be administered intra-nasally (IN) or intra-muscularly (IM). The IN route can be used in animals from only two weeks of age, and the stock requires re-vaccinating every six months.

Marker vaccines mean that animals can be traded more freely with Europe, where many countries have IBR elimination programmes. Marker technology enables the identification of animals that have antibodies due to vaccination, compared with antibodies picked up through natural infection or disease exposure at some point, said Booth.

To eliminate IBR in a herd in the UK, marker technology is crucial.

Results from a national bulk milk and blood sampling service show that 72 percent of herds tested positive to IBR. For dairy herds, this could mean a reduction in milk yield of up to 173 litres per cow or more than GBP 4,500 for a 100-cow herd.

An increasing number of cattle are now routinely vaccinated for IBR.