The animal health wing of drug maker Pfizer has launched what it bills as Canada’s first vaccine labelled for prevention of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) in cattle.
The three-way intranasal vaccine, named Inforce 3, is also labelled as an aid in the prevention of parainfluenza-3 virus (PI3) and Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR).
"Pneumonia during the first six months of life can slow the growth rate and decrease productivity," Pfizer cattle veterinarian Pete Knight said in a release Friday. "It is therefore crucial to help dairy and beef calves off to a strong start by bolstering their immune systems early."
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Inforce uses "temperature-sensitive technology" to ensure that the vaccine strains grow only in cattle’s relatively cool nasal passages, replicating in the upper respiratory tract to protect against BRSV, IBR and PR3, the company said.
The company noted the temperature-sensitive vaccine strains don’t rely on the immune system to stop replication and don’t overstimulate the production of interferon — proteins released when pathogens are present — which otherwise can cause sore muscles and fever.
Calves vaccinated with Inforce 3 in company studies showed fewer lung lesions and reduced viral shedding, which Pfizer said shows that vaccinated calves are less likely to suffer from chronic BRSV disease and to transmit disease.
Inforce was also shown to help prevent respiratory diseases caused by IBR and PI3 and to reduce IBR and PI3 viral shedding.[5]
The product is safe for all healthy cattle including young calves and pregnant cows and can be used in dairy herds’ baby calves on arrival, at weaning, before moving to group pens, or with cows or heifers pre-freshening, Montreal-based Pfizer said.
