Trivalent SIV vaccine

Schering-Plough Animal Health Corp. introduces the industrys first trivalent vaccine for the costly swine influenza virus (SIV). MaxiVac Excell 3, a killed-virus vaccine, protects against all major strains of swine flu virus (SIV) circulating in the U.S. swine population. It features a new variant or reassortant strain of the H1N1 subtype in addition to the classical H1N1 subtype that has been circulating in U.S. hogs for decades. The vaccine also contains an H3N2 subtype that protects against the Cluster I Texas-like H3N2 subtype, as well as cross protects against the Cluster III variants of H3N2.MaxiVac Excell 3 fills an unmet need and gives the pork industry a new tool for managing SIV, says Luis Fernandez, DVM, senior product manager for swine products at Schering-Plough Animal Health. No vaccine provides broader flu protection against the most predominant strains in U.S. swine herds.MaxiVac Excell 3 is approved for use in pigs 5 weeks of age or older, including boars and pregnant sows, as an aid in the prevention of disease associated with the SIV subtypes rH1N1, cH1N1 and H3N2. The vaccine also has been shown to reduce pneumonia and lung infection following challenge. The company recommends vaccinating healthy pigs with a 2 mL intramuscular (IM) dose and revaccinating two to three weeks later.

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