Alternative Clostridial Vaccines

All clostridial vaccines initially require two injections several weeks apart as the primary course. Although it is recommended to stick with the same vaccine product, if this is not possible then toxoid vaccines are still likely to have acceptable cross-over action if they contain the same components. A single injection of a vaccine containing a component not seen by the animal before will not produce a lasting immunity.

Using two vaccines at once is not generally recommended by the manufacturers, but may be needed on some units where cover against pasteurellosis and multiple clostridial components is needed, for example using Ovipast Plus and Lambivac together. Speak to your vet if you think this might be required. As ever, handling of pregnant ewes should be minimised wherever possible, although it is often a balance between risk factors.

Passive immunity achieved by lambs through colostrum generally only lasts a few weeks. This varies between two and twelve weeks depending on vaccine and component. Giving lambs their own clostridial/pasteurella vaccine is important as this will help protect them as maternal immunity wanes. The ideal timing of this vaccination will also vary depending on the vaccine used and guidance is given on the datasheet in all cases. If Heptavac-P is not available for administering to lambs, another product such as Ovivac-P should provide good coverage against the main disease risks in this age of animal. If these lambs are later used as replacements, a full primary course of Heptavac-P (or another product) would then be required to ensure full immunity to all the components in this vaccine.