Intervet BTV 8 Vaccine Data Sheet

9th April 2008

Bovilis BVT8 is the vaccine manufactured by Intervet to provide immunisation against Bluetongue in cattle and sheep.

The dose is 1ml. Sheep require one dose. Cattle require two doses with a three week interval in between.

The vaccine should be given subcutaneously (under the skin).

The vaccine will provide protection 3 weeks after administration – in the case of cattle this means 3 weeks after the second dose.

The duration of protection is currently unknown, but current recommendations are to give booster injections 2 weeks before the anticipated ‘risk period’ (likely to be early March).

Do not use in cattle or sheep under 1 month of age.

The vaccine is available in 20 and 50 ml (dose) glass vials

For vaccination, a vaccine gun is recommended and the equipment to be clean and sterile before use.

The vaccine should be stored between 2 and 8 C, and once opened used within 8 hours

The vaccine should reach room temperature before use and be shaken intermittently during use.

The vaccine should not be mixed with any other medicine, and it’s use with other vaccines has yet to be investigated (and so should not be undertaken).

Only healthy animals should be vaccinated.

The use in pregnant or milking animals has yet to be investigated fully, but Intervet are not anticipating any problems with it’s use in pregnant or milking animals, although they currently have no data to confirm this.

Side effects may include a temporary rise in temperature, and swelling at the injection site

There is no withdrawl period.

Notes from the NBA.
Intervet produced the Data sheet for their BTV 8 vaccine at the end of last week following the grant of a licence by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). Exel Vets have kindly translated the data sheet into simple English and this is attached for your information.

It is important to remember that this vaccine has been produced in 18 months when the process normally takes 9 years. I am very confident about the vaccine and the expert opinion that I have heard is very confident that there will be no problems with the vaccine. Vaccine has been produced for other strains, with no side effects and this vaccine is much the same as that for other strains. The rapid production of the vaccine for this strain means that there has not been time to run extensive trials on for example pregnant animals, therefore not enough data has been submitted to VMD for it to be specific on some issues. Please bear this in mind if you think parts of the data sheet are vague or disappointing. The handling of the animals in poor facilities is more likely to have side effects than the vaccine. Talk to your vet

Duff Burrell, Chairman NBA

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