Merial’s Avian business announced today the launch of Vaxxitek® HVT+IBD, the poultry industry’s first one-dose, hatchery vaccination specifically designed to protect against Classic, Variant or vvIBD strains of Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD). Vaxxitek® HVT+IBD has recently been approved for sale and use in Brazil with additional country approvals pending.
After in-ovo or day old injection, Vaxxitek® HVT+IBD is unique in that it provides effective control and improved performance against vvIBD and stimulates protective immunity without replicating in, or causing damage to, the bursa of the chicken. This quickly eliminates concerns of formulating appropriate vaccination programmes to minimise the effects that Intermediate Plus vaccines have on the bursa and overall immune status and health of the flock.
Because new Vaxxitek® HVT+IBD is administered in-ovo in the hatchery – long before being exposed to vvIBD – the vaccine provides early disease protection, decreases the need for on farm vaccination personnel and eliminates concerns over water quality and administration issues that can impact vaccine efficacy.
“Vaxxitek® HVT+IBD is totally new vaccination concept for IBD and Marek’s disease that can eliminate inappropriate vaccination or timing issues while providing vastly improved performance advantages,” states Peter Cargill, BVetMed. Cert PMP. MRCVS, Avian Global Marketing Head, Merial Avian Business. “This vaccine is built on a new technology platform that delivers consistent replication of the HVT (turkey herpesvirus) vector and consequently produces long-term, consistent IBD antigenic stimulation to the bird.” Dr. Cargill concludes.
For the first time, Vaxxitek® HVT+IBD allows the poultry industry to tackle two important diseases with absolute security before chicks are placed on farm. Not only will poultry growers be relieved of the need to vaccinate on farm, thus removing worries about water quality and vaccine administration resources, but they can be confident their poultry will experience minimal effects on the immune system and bursa, and maximize bird potential
Marek’s disease has been first described in 1907, is ubiquitous in chickens and is a significant cause of economic loss to the poultry industry. The introduction of Vaccination in the 1970s was a major breakthrough in the control of Marek’s , and there are currently several types of vaccine available, such a HVT, that are widely used.
Infectious Bursal Disease has been recognized since 1957, Often referred to as ‘Gumboro’ after the name of the town where the disease was first recognized, IBD is probably the most widely recognized disease affecting chickens globally and is a major potential cause of mortality and immunosuppression that can lead to secondary disease. There are many types of IDB virus now recognised that vary in their abilty to cause disease and response to vaccination. Vaccination for IBD is essential in all parts of the world and there are many traditionally attenuated live vaccines available.
Vaxxitek® is a registered trademark of Merial Limited.
Merial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company, providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health, well-being and performance of a wide range of animals. Merial employs approximately 5,000 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. Its 2005 sales were in excess of $1.9 billion. Merial Limited is a joint venture between Merck & Co., Inc. and sanofi-aventis.
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