Failure of 'cold chain' behind vaccine failure

The failure of some scabby mouth vaccines in the South could be due to 'cold chain' failure during transportation of the vaccine, Clutha Vets veterinarian John Smart says.

There have been some reports to vet clinics throughout Southland and South Otago from farmers where the Scabine vaccine had not ''taken'' after the lambs had been scratched with the vaccine at tailing time.

If a ''take'' was successful, a raised white pustular scab should develop on the vaccination scratch, the MSD Animal Health Scabine brochure stated.

Farmers receiving batches 132SL and 135SL have reported the vaccine had not ''taken''.

Mr Smart suspected the problem was occurring between the vaccine leaving the factory in Auckland (where there was no fault with the vaccine) and arriving at vet clinics in the southern area.

He suspected the vaccine may have been exposed to to high a temperature, breaking the 'cold chain'. Other areas in New Zealand receiving the same batch numbers had not reported any problems.

MSD Animal Health's brochure stated Scabine was a live vaccine.

''Its effectiveness can be compromised if it's stored or handled incorrectly. Avoid exposing it to temperatures above 8degC. Store it in the fridge between 2-8degC, and use chilly bags/bins when transporting it in the field,'' the brochure states.

Mr Smart, along with other vets throughout the affected area, had looked into some cases where the vaccine had not taken and discovered logical explanations behind most cases.

He gave an example of Clutha Vets ordering a dose of the vaccine for overnight delivery, that did not show up until five days later.

He said the vet clinic did not accept the vaccine and the courier company could not explain how the vaccine was lost of where it had gone.

Mr Smart said vet clinics had to take extra care in knowing when their product should arrive and where it was.

There were a few cases where they could not answer why the vaccine had not taken and MSD Animal Health was working towards a solution, he said.

A Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) spokesperson said MPI was formally notified in early November of reports from farmers and vet clinics in Southland of inefficacy of Scabine.

''It is unclear at this stage if it is an issue of efficacy or of incorrect administration and application of the vaccine. ''


What to do if Scabine failure is suspected 

There has been problems with Scabine vaccine batch numbers 132SL and 135SL.

Clutha Vets veterinarian John Smart said farmers who suspect the vaccine may not have ''taken'' to get a replacement vial from the vet clinic and vaccinate 100 lambs.

Check them seven days later. If there has been no ''takes'', that is good as it means the first vaccine worked, but if there are ''takes'' it means you have to revaccinate the whole lot.

Clutha Vets is offering free replacement vials for farmers who have to re-vaccinate to see if the vaccine has worked.


 

 

- by Nicole Sharp 

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