Trials Show New Vaccine Will Protect Against PMWS

"We have decided to choose the sow option for this vaccine because, first of all, contamination of the piglet occurs very early in the life. Second it’s really necessary not to immunostimulate the piglets early in life because it may trigger PMWS so the sow option appeared to be the best option," said Dr. Francois Joisel, Merial’s global technical services director.

Over 300,000 sows have been vaccinated with the product in France and Germany and the results are said to be "particularly encouraging." The vaccine has undergone ten years of research.

The trials confirm vaccination against PCV2 infection can provide protection against the development of PMWS.

Vaccination of piglets is said to be efficacious in controlled laboratory conditions as long as maternal antibody levels are not too high.

Vaccination of the breeder herd including pregnant animals is safe and was found efficacious in controlled laboratory conditions. This has now been confirmed in field conditions with large numbers of gilts and sows.

The Canadian government has granted a special permit ahead of the normal licensing process to enable its use in Canada immediately. Demand for the new product is reported to be strong. Three other companies are said to be in the process of introducing new products to help pig-keepers control PMWS.

For more information, visit our PMWS Technical Zone

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