PhilOsborne
Animal Husbandry Specialist
WVU Extension Service
7/99
The use of vaccine to protect against costlylosses from disease in the cow herd is an essential part of goodherd management. These vaccines must be handled and storedproperly if they are to be effective. Modified live vaccines aremore sensitive to being mishandled. Good handling and storageprocedures will ensure that you have few problems.
First, buy vaccine from a dealer who has goodstorage and handing practices. After purchase, store vaccine in acool, dark place such as a refrigerator (not on the dash board ofthe pickup). Vaccines cannot stand warm temperatures and light.Care should be taken to ensure that the vaccine does not freeze,because this can ruin most vaccines.
Vaccines should be properly stored until theyare ready for use. Expose only what vaccine is needed or will beused in about an hour. If there are several animals to beprocessed, keep vaccines in a cool insulated container and takethem out as needed. Most modified live vaccines must berehydrated by adding a sterile diluent to the freeze-driedmaterial, which is vacuum-packaged. Because of this vacuum, thediluent can be pulled through a transfer needle into the vialcontaining the freeze-dried material.
After rehydration modified live vaccines aregood only a few hours under perfect conditions. Exposure tosunlight and heat will inactivate them very quickly. Alcohol orany disinfectant applied to the needle between animals can kill amodified live vaccine if only a drop remains in the needle. Forthis reason, when you use a modified live vaccine refrain fromdisinfecting the needle between animals. You should usedisposable needles.
If you are using a syringe and needle to makethe diluent transfer, use a clean syringe for this purpose toavoid contamination of the entire vial with the syringe you arevaccinating with. You should also maintain a clean needle forwithdrawing vaccine from the vial, avoiding the possibility ofcontamination by using the needle you are vaccinating with.
Always read the label directions on the vaccinelabel and follow them. Manufacturers often mix vaccines for theconvenience of the user; however, never mix vaccines since theymay not be compatible. Proper handling and storage of vaccineswill enhance the development of a strong immunity to the diseasesyou are vaccinating for.