THE GOAT VETERINARY SOCIETY |
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AVAILABILITY OF BTV8 VACCINE
I have been getting enquiries about the availability of BTV8 vaccine, including from some where people have been told that only 50ml Bottles are available.
I have checked with Intervet Schering-Plough, and they assure me that there are ample supplies of 20ml bottles available, all of it long dated, as it will have been manufactured this year.
If anyone is experiencing difficulty obtaining it I suggest ringing the relevant helpline which is on 01908 665 050
50ml bottles, from both manufacturers, and 100ml bottles from Merial are also readily available, and veterinary surgeons are reminded that they can now stock in anticipation of demand.
It may be useful to owners of small numbers of stock and their veterinary surgeons, to remind you that it is quite in order to split bottles of vaccine so long as aseptic precautions are taken. There can thus be benefits in owners forming “Clubs” for vaccination purposes, though a prescription would have to involve all members, which might need a bit of inter practice mutual cooperation as to who was in charge of the animals for BTV purposes!!.
However, once a bottle has been opened it must continue to be stored at 4 to 8 degrees C and will begin to lose its efficacy 8 hours after being opened.
Careful timing is therefore all important.
Nick Clayton.
Please see also Vaccine discussion (July 2nd)