Merck Animal Health Launches Vaccine in Europe to Protect Piglets from Two Prevalent Respiratory Infections

Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada) today introduced PORCILIS® PCV M Hyo, the first ready-to-use single-injection combination vaccine in Europe that protects piglets against both Porcine Circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyopneumoniae) infections during the finishing period. The two most prevalent pathogens in today’s swine industry, PCV2 and M. hyopneumoniae cause mild disease by themselves, but in concurrent infection, they induce severe respiratory disease and lesions and are a considerable burden to producers.

PORCILIS® PCV M Hyo comes ready-to-use and does not require mixing, saving labor, time, and reducing the potential for handling error.

“The launch of PORCILIS® PCV M Hyo vaccine provides a safe and effective new option for veterinarians and producers in Europe by protecting young piglets against both diseases for at least 21 weeks after a single injection,” said Narciso Bento, Global Swine Business Head, Merck Animal Health. “This ready-to-use vaccine requires less handling, resulting in less stress on the animals and the people that care for them.”

“We are proud to offer producers in Europe the first ready-to-use vaccine that, in a single injection, protects piglets during a crucial time in their development against both M hyo and PCV2” said Ruud Segers, Global R&D Swine Biologicals, Merck Animal Health. “This novel vaccine aligns with our goal to introduce new options to improve animal well-being while maximizing productivity.”

Approved indication:
PORCILIS® PCV M Hyo is indicated for the active immunization of piglets to:

Detailed conditions of the product are described in the summary of product characteristics (SPC), published on the European Medicines Agency’s website and available at:
www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/EPAR_-_Product_Information/veterinary/003796/WC500177272.pdf.