Flu Vaccine

Schering-Plough Animal Health Corporation has introduced MaxiVac Platinum with Emunade, the first combination vaccine for mycoplasma pneumonia and swine influenza virus with a USDA-approved label for reduced shedding of H1N1 and H3N2 flu viruses. Reduced viral shedding from the lungs and nasal passages may decrease exposure of the swine influenza virus (SIV) to other animals, thereby shortening the duration of the disease in the herd and improving control, explains Dr. Robyn Fleck, a technical service veterinarian for the companys Pork Industry Team. The SIV antigens in MaxiVac Platinum have also been shown to reduce pneumonia and clinical signs associated with the H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes, he says.Fleck notes that MaxiVac Platinum is produced using two field-proven SIV strains that have been used in more than 75 million doses nationwide.The classical H1N1 strain the same North American isolate used successfully in MaxiVac-FLU has been shown to cross-react with recent U.S. isolates.The H3N2 virus in MaxiVac Platinum is a carefully researched strain isolated from North American swine in 1999, and is genetically and serologically similar to the triple reassortant H3N2 viruses currently circulating in the U.S. swine population, Fleck adds.The M. hyo component of MaxiVac Platinum is the same used in Schering-Plough Animal Healths M+Pac mycoplasma bacterin.According to Fleck, the M. hyo antigen in MaxiVac Platinum has been shown to provide protection in the presence of maternal antibodies, meaning that pigs dont have to be maternal antibody-negative for the vaccine to be effective against mycoplasma pneumonia.The addition of MaxiVac Platinum to our product line gives veterinarians added flexibility for tailoring vaccine programs to suit the needs of individual operations, says Palma Jordan, senior product manager.Jordan notes that all three vaccines in Schering-Plough Animal Healths family of swine respiratory vaccines contain Emunade, a proprietary oil-in-water adjuvant that provides a rapid and prolonged immune response. She notes that the adjuvant helps ensure excellent syringeability while minimizing tissue reaction or production setbacks in pigs of all ages, including pregnant sows.The product is licensed for use in healthy pigs 5 weeks of age or older and should be administered by intramuscular injection. The product is packaged in 250-milliliter (125-dose), 100-milliliter (50-dose) and 50-milliliter (25-dose) vials.

For fastest response call (888) 262-7075.