Important in ovo vaccine preparation steps that can help support efficacious vaccination.
Brand Insights from Zoetis
Proper handling and preparation of frozen vaccines is critical to ensure their effectiveness for in ovo vaccination. Missteps in sanitation, temperatures and times can lead to poor disease control and associated economic losses for flocks.
Follow these recommendations to handle and prepare frozen Marek’s disease vaccines for in ovo administration to help maintain optimal vaccine efficacy. A poster and video with step-by-step vaccine handling and mixing protocols for frozen Marek’s vaccines are available from your Zoetis representative.
Vaccine room selection and preparation
Maintain a clean, controlled environment to help reduce the risk of vaccine contamination. The vaccine mixing room should be separate from other areas of the hatchery, have minimal traffic and not be used for storage.
Separate areas and equipment should be designated for day-of-age vaccination to help avoid product and application mix-ups and cross-contamination. Mistakenly applying certain spray vaccines via in ovo vaccination may result in significant hatch loss.
Always work in a clean environment. Disinfect all work surfaces and equipment for handling, mixing and transporting the vaccine — including the thaw bath and countertop.
Keep the vaccine room at a stable temperature, around 65º F. Maintain positive air pressure, with airflow directed away from the vaccine preparation area. Ventilation filters should be replaced monthly. Laminar flow hoods are beneficial, especially in less-than-ideal mixing rooms.
Thawing the vaccine
Along with thoroughly cleaning the thaw bath after each run day, monitor and maintain thaw bath water temperature at 80º F. Zoetis recommends using a backup thermometer to verify thaw bath temperature. Thawing the vaccine at the correct temperature helps ensure the vaccine remains effective.
Thaw no more than four ampules at one time, and thawing should take about 70 to 90 seconds. The total time span from removing the ampules from liquid nitrogen to thawing and adding to diluent should be no more than three minutes.
Extracting and mixing the vaccine
Use aseptic techniques and a careful mixing process to help maintain vaccine integrity. Zoetis recommends using a sterile 20-mL syringe and 18-gauge 1-1/2-inch-long needle for extracting vaccine from thawed ampules. Avoid rapidly drawing or injecting vaccine, as that can damage the vaccine cells and reduce potency.
Use separate sterile needles and syringes for each additive or vaccine type, and always add the Marek’s vaccine last to diluent to help maximize the time span before the mixed batch expires.
Time limits and temperature control
Vaccines lose potency over time, and temperature fluctuations can reduce their effectiveness. Vaccines must be administered within 90 minutes of preparation. Keep the diluted vaccine between 70º F and 80º F during vaccination to help preserve effectiveness. Use a clean cooler and ice pack for transporting vaccine and an endotherm bag on the Inovoject® system.
Liquid nitrogen monitoring
Check liquid nitrogen levels daily and do not allow nitrogen levels to drop below 3 inches (7.5 cm). Vaccine presence in the ampule tip at the time of removal from liquid nitrogen indicates vaccine may have thawed at some point and should not be used.
Always follow all label instructions and veterinarian recommendations.
For training and audit support on in ovo vaccination protocols, or to learn more about opportunities to help improve in ovo vaccination performance, contact your Zoetis representative.
Disinfect all work surfaces, tools and equipment for handling, mixing and transporting the vaccine — including the thaw bath and countertop.
Use a sterile 20-mL syringe and 18-gauge 1-1/2-inch-long needle for extracting vaccine from thawed ampules. Avoid rapidly drawing or injecting vaccine to avoid damaging vaccine cells and reducing potency.
Use a clean cooler and ice pack for transporting vaccine from the vaccine mixing room to the Inovoject® system.
Article by: Dr. Josh Deines, PhD, Technical Service Device Lead​, Zoetis
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