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Best Practice Vaccination
for Lambs

Protection
The Importance of Vaccination
Effective Vaccination
Sheep

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The importance of vaccination

Vaccination is essential to the health the lamb from early life, through marking recovery, weaning and set the lamb up for life.

When the ewe is vaccinated 4 weeks pre-lambing the maternal antibodies (colostrum) is produced in the udder. When consumed by the lamb in the first 48hrs after birth these specific maternal antibodies protect the lamb from the corresponding diseases for 6-10 weeks. This is essential to protect the lamb from death and illness until their own immune system becomes into full activity.

Lambing marking and weaning are high risk times for weeks afterwards for the lamb to contract an illness, experience reduced production, and death. Correct vaccination according to product label is imperative for effective immunity.

Introduction to Sheep Best Practice Instructional Videos

Vaccine Overview for Lambs at Lamb Marking and Weaning

Disease Vaccine Vaccination Timing Unvaccinated Weaner Lamb Booster Dose Notes
Clostridial Diseases:
  • Pulpy Kidney (Enterotoxaemia)
  • Tetanus
  • Black Disease
  • Black Leg 
  • Malignant Oedema
Killed Clostridial Vaccine
  • Glanvac 6in1 (Plus CLA Protection)
  • Ultravac 5in1
  • Glanvac 3in1 (Only Pulpy Kidney, Tetanus plus CLA Protection)
Best Practice Protection begins as a newborn lamb through colostrum from a vaccinated mother

Vaccinated Ewe - Annual Booster Dose

Timing: 4 weeks prior to lambing

Lamb - 2 Doses are required

1st Dose
Timing: Lamb age greater than 3 weeks, at Marking

2nd Dose 
Timing: 4 weeks later at Weaning
2 Doses are required

1st Dose
Timing: Immediately

2nd Dose
Timing: 4 weeks later
Annually

Ewes
Timing: 4 weeks prior to lambing

Rams
Timing: 4 weeks prior to joining

Hoggest & Wethers
Timing: 2 weeks prior to high risk season

Pulpy Kidney requires this to be prior to time of maximum risk
(i.e. introduction to lush pasture of grain)
  • Essential in all areas
  • Clostridial diseases can affect all sheep
  • Subcutaneous injection
  • Zoetis vaccines are 1mL dose & can be used within 30 days of opening with label instructions are followed
  • Glanvac can be co-administered with Eryvac
Cheesy Gland / CLA (Caseous lymphadenitis)
Killed Vaccine
  • Glanvac 6in1 (Plus 5 Clostridial Disease Protection)
  • Glanvac 3in1 (Plus Pulpy Kidney & Tetanus Protection)
Best Practice Protection begins as a newborn lamb through colostrum from a Glanvac vaccinated mother

Vaccinated Ewe - Annual Booster Dose

Timing: 4 weeks prior to lambing

Lamb - 2 Doses are required

1st Dose
Timing: Lamb age greater than 3 weeks, at Marking

2nd Dose 
Timing: 4 weeks later at Weaning
2 Doses are required

1st Dose
Timing: 8 weeks prior to joining

2nd Dose
Timing: 4 weeks prior to joining
Annually

Ewes
Timing: 4 weeks prior to lambing

Rams
Timing: 4 weeks prior to joining

Hoggest & Wethers
Timing: Within 6 months of Shearing
  • Essential in all areas
  • CLA can affect all sheep
  • Subcutaneous injection
  • Zoetis vaccines are 1mL dose & can be used within 30 days of opening with label instructions are followed
  • Glanvac can be co-administered with Eryvac
Erysipelas arthritis (polyarthritis)
Killed Vaccine
  • Eryvac
Best Practice Protection begins as a newborn lamb through colostrum from a Eryvac vaccinated mother

Vaccinated Ewe - Annual Booster Dose

Timing: 4 weeks prior to lambing

Lamb - 2 Doses are required

1st Dose
Timing: Lamb age greater than 3 weeks, at Marking

2nd Dose 
Timing: 4 weeks later at Weaning
2 Doses are required
1st Dose

Timing: 8 weeks prior to joining

2nd Dose
Timing: 4 weeks prior to joining
Annually

Ewes
Timing: 4 weeks prior to lambing

Rams
Timing: 4 weeks prior to joining

Hoggest & Wethers
Timing: Anytime
  • Essential in Erysipelas arthritis areas
  • Erysipelas arthritis can affect all sheep
  • Subcutaneous injection
  • Zoetis vaccines are 1mL dose & can be used within 30 days of opening with label instructions are followed
  • Eryvac can be co-administered with Glanvac
Scabby Mouth
Live Vaccine
  • Scabigard
Best Practice Protection begins as a lamb

A Single Dose is required to begin protection

Lamb 
Timing: at Marking

 Timing: Anytime  Scabigard vaccine has been shown to provide effective protection against re-infection for 12 months.
  • Recommended in all sheep areas unless no disease has been seen
  • Scabby Mouth can affect all sheep
  • Scabigard vaccine is administered through a dermal scratch
  • To monitor successful  vaccination - 10 days later check for a vaccine 'take' (scab) 
  • Dose is 0.02mL
  • WHS risk - Scabby Mouth is a zoonotic disease
    • Live vaccine - wear gloves when vaccinating
    • Avoid within 6-8 weeks of shearing due to risk of human exposure
Ovine Johne's Disease (OJD)
Killed Vaccine
  • Gudair
Best Practice Protection begins as a lamb between 4-16 weeks of age

A Single Dose is required for LIFE LONG PROTECTION

Lamb 
Timing: at Marking

 Timing: Anytime  Not Required
  • Essential in OJD areas
  • OJD can affect all sheep
  • Subcutaneous injection
  • Zoetis vaccines are 1mL dose & can be used within 30 days of opening with label instructions are followed
  • WHS risk - restrain lamb/sheep before administration
    • ensure all precaution is taken to avoid human injection
    • a Gudair Sekurus 1mL vaccinator is recommended
Table 1: Vaccinations recommended for Lambs

Two Doses of Vaccine Plus Boosters are Essential

  1. Maternal antibodies† in the colostrum can interfere with the vaccine, so it's important not to give some vaccines too early in life, until the maternal antibody level have dropped.
  2. The first dose of vaccine primes the immune system, but only provides a small amount of short-term protection. In some animals, there may be no protection at all from this dose. 
  3. It's not until the animal is given the second dose of vaccine that the immune system is capable of providing protection against the disease. In most cases, this protection lasts 12 months.
  4. An annual booster dose is required to ensure the animal remains protected for another 12 months. Without an annual booster dose the animal will be at risk of disease as the antibody levels will fall below the protective level.
  5. This is the level of immunity required by the animal to provide protection against infection or disease.

 

*The first dose of vaccine may not confer protective immunity.

†Material antibodies are the proteins present in the colostrum, or "first milk" that provide immediate, but temporary protection for the new-born from infection. The amount of maternal antibodies an animal receives will vary and is influenced by the vaccination status of the dam.

This is a schematic representation to demonstrate the principles of vaccination.

Actual levels of antibody following vaccination will vary from vaccine to vaccine and animal to animal.

Best Practice Sheep Vaccination

Vaccination Technique

Vaccinations are required to be given correctly to ensure an adequate immune response to protect the animal from the disease effects

Failure to give vaccines as per label requirement may lead to lost productivity, illness, death, injury, carcass damage and/or animal welfare issues

Best Practice

Sheep anatomy

The orange circle on the sheep anatomy diagram indicates the correct site to vaccinate, under the skin, on the side of the neck, avoiding critical structures near the base of the ear, and the C1/C2 joints of the spine.

The application of any vaccine is important as it has an impact on:

The effectiveness of the vaccine
  • different vaccines have specific requirements of placement on the animal

The carcass quality
  • vaccines have various adjuvants which act differently in the body
  • injection site injury can cause extensive carcase trimming at the abattoir
  • hide damage can also occur
Animal welfare
  • by stimulating the immune system of an animal through vaccination incorrect use may cause serious side effects

Hygiene
  • poor hygiene can cause sickness and death through secondary bacterial infections and/or spread of viruses

Incorrect vaccination site at the abattoir and resulting carcase trimming

Comparison 1

Comparison 2

Correct vaccine placement

Vaccinate under the skin on the side of the neck
For all sheep vaccinations, use the shortest needle possible (6mm in length is best practice but do not exceed 15mm in length)
Using an angle of vaccination suitable for the class of stock (see Table 1)

 

Best practice vaccination technique by class of stock

Class of Stock Needle Gauge Needle Length Needle angle to skin
Lambs 18G ¼ inch 45°
Adults off-shears/short wool/low body condition score 18G ¼ inch 45°
Adults with wool growth 18G ¼ inch 90°
Table 2: Robertson, N. Study of OJD vaccination techniques: Revelations after dissecting sheep administered dyed Gudair® vaccine. Proceedings of the Australian Sheep Veterinarian’s Conference, Dubbo, 2016.

Result of INCORRECT vaccination technique on farm

Incorrect vaccination

Features of Vaccinators

Vaccinator Administration Type Product Features
Quickshot 1ml Quickshot 1ml 1ml Injection Glanvac or Eryvac
Glanvac 1ml Safeshot Glanvac 1ml Safeshot 1ml Injection Glanvac or Eryvac Protective Needle Shroud for Safety and Best practice administration
Glanvac Eryvac Dual Vaccinator 2ml Glanvac Eryvac Dual Vaccinator 2ml Simultaneous 2 x 1ml Injection Simultaneous Glanvac and Eryvac Simultaneous administration via a single injection of Glanvac and Eryvac Protective Needle Shroud for Safety and Best practice administration
Gudair 1ml Sekurus Gudair 1ml Sekurus 1ml Injection Gudair
Glanvac
Eryvac		 Low risk, easy to use two-stage safety locking mechanism, protective needle shroud for Safety and Best practice administration
Scaigard Ezi-Grip Scaigard Ezi-Grip Scatch 0.02ml Scabigard Ergonomic accurate dosing
Scabigard Scabigard Scratch 0.02ml Scabigard Low profile dosing

GLANVAC ERYVAC DUAL VACCINATOR

  • Over the past few decades the Australian Sheep industry has relied on efficiency, animal welfare and advances in veterinary medicine to drive productivity
  • Producers are constantly looking at new and innovative ways to increase the productivity and profitability of their enterprises
  • The Glanvac Eryvac Dual Vaccinator is a revolutionary new design that allows simultaneous administration of the Glanvac range of vaccines with Eryvac through best practice technology in an easy to use ergonomic device

Vaccinator

What is it?

  • Specifically designed by Zoetis in conjunction with the innovative instrument company Simcro™, the Glanvac Eryvac Dual Vaccinator offers Australian sheep producers the latest in technology
  • This new device allows the farmer to give their Glanvac and Eryvac vaccines in a single vaccination, saving time and maximising on-farm convenience

The benefits

  • Glanvac Eryvac Dual Vaccinator allows simultaneous administration of Glanvac and Eryvac vaccines in a single vaccination
  • The applicator has a shrouded needle to tent the skin upon application
  • Efficient ergonomic design
  • Straight forward to use

What does this mean for me?

Glanvac Eryvac Dual Vaccinator

Saving time and labour
Maximising on-farm convenience
Ensuring best practice vaccination with shrouded needles
Improved safety over an exposed needle
Reduce risk of injection site abnormalities

Gudair Sekurus 1ml Safety Vaccinator

Unique safety features that minimise the risk of self injection

  • The safety of the administrator when using Gudair is paramount - the Gudair Sekurus vaccinator provides this.
  • Producers are vitally aware of the welfare of their livestock – the Gudair Sekurus vaccinator delivers best practice vaccination.
  • The superior safety, functionality and ease of use make the 1mL fixed Sekurus vaccinator the smart choice for anyone using Gudair.
  • Its unique safety features minimise the risk of self-injection without compromising efficiency.

Gudair Vaccinator

What is it?

  • Specifically designed by Zoetis in conjunction with the innovative instrument company Simcro™, the Gudair Sekurus offers Australian sheep producers the latest in safe vaccine delivery and functionality
  • This device allows the farmer to give their Gudair with reduced risk to the administrator and surrounding workers whilst delivery the product with best practice vaccine delivery

The benefits

  • Fixed 1ml dose specifically for Gudair
  • Safety release trigger and Safety V-lock
  • The applicator has a shrouded needle to tent the skin upon application
  • Specific o-rings that have been stabilised for the use of Gudair
  • Top-fed draw off puts Gudair directly into the barrel to allow fast and accurate barrel re-fill with the highly viscous Gudair

What does this mean for me?

  • Easy-to-use, service and maintain
  • Delivering a highly accurate fixed 1mL dose
  • Needle shroud and locking mechanisms minimises the risk of accidental self-injection
    • increased safety in administrating Gudair and other 1ml subcutaneous vaccines (Glanvac or Eryvac)
    • when delivered at a 45o angle this tents the sheep’s skin for easy subcutaneous delivery that will minimise site reactions

Gudair 1mL Sekurus Safety Vaccinator Instructional Video

How to use (delivery action)

Stage 1

  • Gently squeeze the safety release trigger to engage the shroud guard slide mechanism
  • If pressure is applied first, the mechanism will lock up and become clicky and hard to use
  • Then apply pressure onto the shroud as you inject the sheep. This allows the safety shroud covering the needle to slide back along the metal slide and exposes the needle subcutaneously. The whole action is a smooth push
  • Do not increase the force through the vaccinator as it can make the action more difficult with it harder for the safety components to release
  • Do not squeeze the V-Grip, allow it to collapse

Stage 2

  • Once the shroud has fully retracted along the metal slide, the Safety V-lock is then released to deliver an accurate 1mL dose of vaccine
  • The vacinator falls into itself and injection occurs

Gudair Vaccinator

Maintain vaccinator at 45° angle to the skin as shown and push vaccinator forward against the animal to form a tent of skin.

Keep body and hand well clear of vaccinator to avoid self injection - DO NOT TENT SKIN using free hand.

Gudair Human Adverse Events Preventention and First Steps

The Glanvac 1mL SafeShot Vaccinator

Best Practice Vaccination

What is it?

  • Best practice vaccination is important when vaccinating livestock
  • The Glanvac 1ml SafeShot vaccinator allows producers to improve the welfare of the sheep vaccinated through best practice vaccination
  • The shrouded needle reduces the risk of self-injection without compromising efficiency
  • THIS PRODUCT CANNOT BE USED WITH GUDAIR

Glanvac Vaccinator

The Benefits

  • Fixed 1mL dose specifically for Zoetis ultrafiltrated vaccines (Glanvac, Eryvac, Ultravac 5in1)
  • Shrouded needle to tent the skin upon application
  • This device allows the farmer to give their sheep vaccines with the reduced risk to the administrator and surrounding workers whilst delivering the product with best practice vaccine delivery

What does it mean for me?

  • Easy to use, service and maintain
  • Delivering a highly accurate fixed 1mL dose
  • Needle shroud
  • Increased safety in administering 1ml subcutaneous vaccine 
  • When delivered at a 45O angle the skin is tented for easy subcutaneous delivery that will minimise reactions
  • GUDAIR APPLICATION MUST BE THROUGH THE GUDAIR SEKURUS 1ML VACCINATOR

Glanvac 1mL SafeShot Vaccinator Instructional Video

How to use (delivery action)

Stage 1

  • Apply pressure onto the shroud as you inject the sheep.
  • This allows the safety shroud covering the needle to slide back along the metal slide and exposes the needle subcutanaously.
  • The whole action is a smooth push.

Stage 2

  • When the shroud is fully retracted and the needle is situated subcutaneously.
  • Squeeze the handle and deliver the accurate 1mL dose of vaccine.

Glanvac vaccinator

Maintain vaccinator at 45° angle to the skin as shown and push vaccinator forward against the animal to form a tent of skin.

Keep body and hand well clear of vaccinator to avoid self injection - DO NOT TENT SKIN using free hand.

How to use the Scabigard® Applicator

Lock and load, pump and scratch

  • The Scabigard applicator is supplied sterilised and ready to use.
  • The applicator can be resterilised and used for an entire season.
  • Keep the vaccine refrigerated (2 to 8 °C).

Step 1

Step 1:

Before using Scabigard put on the appropiate PPE equipment including gloves. Open the applicator handle and insert the Scabigard bottle onto the draw-off needle.

Step 2

Step 2:

Close gun and ensure bottle fits into handle attachment.

Step 3

Step 3:

Ensure everyone including yourself are safely away from the applicator. To prime the applicator, hold the unit with the tips facing downwards & pump the applicator approximately 10 times until a drop of vaccine appears on the tips. The applicator is now ready to use.

Step 4

Step 4:

Hold the applicator at 45 degrees to the skin with both prongs touching the skin & make a single scratch approximately 4–5 cm in length. Pump the applicator once to release a drop of vaccine onto the tips prior to each scratch. Press firmly enough to scratch the skin to ensure vaccine “take” but not firmly enough to draw blood.

Scabigard Original & EziGrip Vaccinators Instructional Video

IMPORTANT TO NOTE:

  1. Avoid application of dips, disinfectants or other chemicals in the scratched area.
  2. Applicator tips may become blunt over time due to high use. Either replace or sharpen tips.
  3. Don’t scratch too hard and cause bleeding as this may dilute the take.

Caution: Scabigard is a live vaccine, capable of causing skin infections in humans. Every precaution must be taken to avoid skin contact. Cover cuts and abrasions, as possible inoculation may occur. Remove safety cover before priming and refit once finished.

For further advice, please contact Zoetis on 1800 814 883.

Zoetis Adverse Event Instructional Video

Further Reading

A Better Way To Buy