Blue Tongue/Bloutong (100 x 1ml)

The vaccine is presented as a series of three separate injections with different serotypes of bluetongue virus in each bottle. The bottles are marked A, B and C and must be injected in the following sequence: A, first, B, three weeks later, and the bottle marked C three weeks after B. If necessary, this interval can be longer but never shorter than three weeks. It is necessary to inject the full series, A, B and C in order to get the widest possible protection.

Store the vaccine in a refrigerator at 4 ˚C to 8 ˚C. Do not use after the expiry date printed on the bottle.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE

Vaccinate sheep from August to October. Immunisation of ewes should commence 9–12 weeks before mating. It is not advisable to inject pregnant ewes during the first half of pregnancy. Rams should be inoculated after the mating season. Inject lambs from immunised ewes at the age of six months and older. If done at an earlier age in heavily infected areas, lambs must be revaccinated at the age of six months. Sheep must be vaccinated annually.

N.B.: The vaccine will only stimulate immunity to all serotypes after a number of inoculations. Additional measures must necessarily be taken to ensure protection of sheep against bluetongue during the time of the year when the risk of transmission of infection by biting insects is greatest. Animals should be kept away from low-lying areas in vleis and next to rivers, dams and pans and valuable animals should be stabled during late afternoon, night and early morning.

WARNINGS Do not slaughter animals for human consumption within 7 days of vaccination. Vaccinate healthy animals only. Keep out of reach of children, uninformed persons and animals. Although this product has been extensively tested under a large variety of conditions, failure thereof may ensue as a result of a wide range of reasons. If this is suspected, seek veterinary advice and notify the registration holder.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE Use only as directed. Sterilise syringes and needles by boiling in water for at least 15 minutes. Do not use disinfectants or methylated spirits for sterilising either needles or syringes. Use a separate needle for each animal. The active ingredient of the vaccine is in the form of a powder or pellet in a small bottle. By means of a sterile syringe transfer approximately 1 ml of the 100 ml sterile diluent to the bottle marked A containing the freeze-dried vaccine. Mix thoroughly until the powder is dissolved and then transfer this suspension back to the remaining sterile diluent and again mix well by means of the sterile syringe. The vaccine is now ready for use and must be injected without delay. Three weeks later use the bottle marked B. Reconstitute in the same way as bottle A and inject into 100 sheep that have been injected with vaccine A. After another three weeks use bottle C. Follow the same directions as for A and B and inject the same sheep that have previously been injected with vaccine A and B. Shake the bottle well before use. Avoid exposure to high temperatures and direct sunlight during vaccination.

DOSAGE: 1 ml subcutaneously. Inject the vaccine behind the shoulder or on the inside of the thigh but not under the tail.

EFFECTS OF THE VACCINE A fever reaction may follow from the seventh day after vaccination. Such animals must not be exposed to strong sunlight, adverse weather conditions and fatigue. A reasonable protection against most of the virus types is usually achieved within 3–4 weeks after the last injection but cannot be guaranteed in all animals.