START VACinating against Mastitis – Think Prevention …Not Treatment!

On the 1^st November recently the first vaccine registered to prevent certain types of bovine mastitis in cows was made available to Irish dairy farmers. It contains two strains of  inactivated (killed) bacteria called Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus Aureus and  is available in single dose and five dose vials  from the veterinary surgeon. Mastitis continues to be a high cost to the Irish farmer and plays a major role in lowering the overall profitability of the dairy farm. Being a multi-factorial disease, it requires a complete and structured approach by the farmer , the  veterinary surgeon and various dairy specialists working in co-operation  if a reduction in incidence, lower levels of severity and a lower somatic cell count are to be obtained. Vaccination when used in conjunction with an overall herd health plan , can play an  effective  and instrumental role in the fight to reduce mastitis on the  Irish dairy farm. Complementing the  herd health plan in place,  vaccination   will activate the  cows and heifers immunity preventing intramammary infections and reducing clinical and subclinical cases of mastitis produced by E. coli, Coliforms, S. Aureus and Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci (CNS). The strengthened immunity reduces the number of cows affected in the herd  and the severity of clinical signs.Having the option to vaccinate available to the dairy farmer with a history of bovine mastitis in the herd,   will signify important benefits to farmers and dairy processors. Trials & studies  carried out to facilitate the registration process  showed that vaccination reduced the number of cows with mastitis due to Staphylococcus Aureus , E coli, and related bacteria and it reduced the severity of the symptoms in the cows that had mastitis. Vaccination also led to an increased number of cows being cured of the infection, a reduction in the number of cows that needed treatment for mastitis, and an increase in the quantity and quality of milk production.

High somatic cell counts (SCC) are a challenge to all dairy farms at different times throughout the year and are resulting in major financial losses i.e . replacement costs, discarded milk , decreased yield  etc. which  erodes the overall  profitability of the  farm . By ensuring vaccination is included as a tool alongside your overall farm herd  health programme, it will make it possible to obtain milk with better organoleptic qualities (low somatic cell count, reduced risks of antibiotic residue etc.)  increase overall  milk production in the herd and  improve the quality  of dairy end products such as yogurt and cheese. The advantage of producing milk from animals vaccinated against mastitis translates into a benefit for society because in the long-term the use of antibiotics will decrease. This implies both a benefit to the dairy processors by reducing problems in the procurement of dairy products and also a significant improvement in the quality of its raw material: milk.. The benefit to the dairy from obtaining higher quality milk will also be transferred to farmers, because they can obtain higher premiums for quality, while increasing the competitiveness of farms, their professionalization and adherence to quality standards .

When planning to vaccinate against bovine mastitis   certain guidelines must be noted and adhered too. .A  recommended vaccination  protocol exists which  provides heightened immunity against  bovine mastitis caused by E. coli, Coliforms, S. Aureus and Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci  (CNS),  when the cow is at its weakest and most vulnerable.  The total protocol includes three injections  given  into the neck muscle: the first is given 45 days before the cow is expected to give birth, the second 35 days later, and the third after  another 62 days. The vaccine must be administered to all healthy cows in a herd, during and after pregnancy. The complete schedule of immunization induces immunity from approximately 13 days after the first injection until approximately  78 days after the third injection (equivalent to 130 days after calving).The full course of injections should be repeated for every pregnancy  to maximise the ability of the cow to fight potential  mastitis challenges that it may encounter. The veterinary surgeon will be able to advise on any herd health issues and administration queries which may arise around the use of a vaccine to prevent bovine mastitis. Alternatively a farmer information leaflet is available from the distributor , Duggan Veterinary , Contactable at (0504) 43169. (email- startvac@dugganvet.ie)

Article from the Irish Farmers Journal on December 4th 2010