Managing Cattle Vaccination: Expert Advice

Vaccines are essential for protecting your cattle from disease.

A comprehensive cattle vaccine schedule protects the entire herd, reducing the risk of serious illness, reproductive issues, loss of productivity, and premature death. But which vaccinations do your cattle need and when? And what else can you do to prevent problems like neonatal calf diarrhoea? Read on to find out… 

With all vaccines, remember proper storage is critical to ensure the vaccine is fully active. Follow label instructions, including keeping the vaccine cool (e.g. in a chilly bin while at the yards) until it is administered.

Understanding cattle vaccines

Cattle vaccines work by introducing a weakened or inactive pathogen (e.g. a bacteria or virus) into the immune system. When specialised immune cells encounter the pathogen for the first time, they develop antibodies, or proteins, that attack and kill it. The next time they encounter the pathogen, they recognise it and can quickly produce those antibodies again. This can prevent the disease from taking hold or reduce the severity of infection.

The majority of vaccines available for cattle in New Zealand are killed vaccines. Killed vaccines contain a dead version of the pathogen. The immune response caused by killed vaccines is not as strong as natural exposure. To enhance the animals immune response, a substance (adjuvant) is used in the formulation. These vaccines require a primary vaccination, followed by a secondary (booster) dose, within a specified timeframe to reach full immunity. Killed vaccines then require annual revaccination to ensure the immune response stays elevated.

Key cattle vaccines

Cattle can be vaccinated against the following diseases:

Leptospirosis AKA “lepto” — a bacterial infection that can cause a variety of different diseases, depending on the strain including abortions. Lepto is the most common disease from animals that can be transmitted to humans in New Zealand. Vaccination against Lepto for all strains that can affect humans is a critical part of control to reduce human disease.  

Clostridiosis - diseases caused by strains of the Clostridium bacteria, including Clostridium chauvoei (blackleg), Clostridium haemolyticum (redwater), and Clostridium tetani (tetanus).

Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) types I and III. — a virus that can cause immune system suppression, secondary infections, abortions and birth defects.

E. coli — a common bacteria that can cause neonatal calf diarrhea, a potentially fatal illness in newborns. 

Rotavirus — a gastrointestinal disease that is also a common cause of neonatal calf diarrhea.

Coronavirus. — a respiratory disease that can also cause gastrointestinal problems in cattle.

Cattle vaccination schedule 

The best cattle vaccination programme, and schedule  depends on your farm system, and animals needs, and is best planned with the help of your  qualified veterinarian.

Essential steps to minimise leptospirosis risk on your farm

Leptospirosis, or "lepto" poses a significant threat to livestock and humans. Protecting your farm, your animals, and your team from this bacterial disease is crucial. Implementing a comprehensive leptospirosis prevention plan is key to safeguarding your farm's health and productivity. To significantly reduce the risk of lepto on your property, consider the following:

1. Robust vaccination program  

   Vaccination is your frontline defence against leptospirosis. A well-planned and consistently executed vaccination program  provides the best protection. Consult with your veterinarian to develop a customized vaccination program  tailored to your farm's specific need and past vaccination history. Ensure all animals are fully vaccinated. Remember heifers and bulls and any purchased animals. For new animals, or when starting to vaccinate against a new strain two vaccinations are required 4-6 weeks apart, followed by a booster not more than 12 months later. To minimise human disease ensure the vaccines protects against all strains of lepto that can affect humans, including the new Tarassovi-like strain, known as 'Pacifica'. This strain was not covered by traditional dairy cattle lepto vaccines. If your herd has not previously been vaccinated against Pacifica, talk to your vet to put together a vaccine programme. Find out more about: Lepto 4-Way^® Advanced protection.

2. Prioritise hygiene and personal safety  

   To reduce the spread to humans, preventing  direct contact with urine is paramount. Implement strict hygiene protocols in and around your sheds and high-risk areas.
   Hygiene practices should include: Avoiding eating, drinking, smoking, or vaping when handling animals. Wash hands with soap and water after animal contact (or doing rodent control) and before eating or drinking, and change any clothes as soon as possible that are contaminated with urine. Keep wounds and cuts covered. Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, waterproof clothing, and boots, when hosing down sheds, assisting with calvings, or handling afterbirth, aborted fetuses, kidneys, or bladders.

3. Comprehensive staff and visitor training  
   Educate everyone on your farm about leptospirosis risks and prevention. Include lepto control measures, hygiene and biosecurity expectations in your health and safety  induction for all staff, family members, and visitors.

4. Manage effluent and protect waterways  
   Leptospires can survive for up to six months in wet conditions. Effective management of effluent and protection of drinking? water sources can reduce disease spread. Ensure:
   Effluent ponds and waterways are securely fenced to prevent animal access. 
   Overland effluent flows/ shed runoff are addressed so they do not occur. 
   Controls are in place when effluent spreading to minimize contamination risk, such as always using trough covers. 

5. Implement effective rodent control
   Rodents are known carriers of leptospirosis. A rigorous and ongoing rodent control program is essential for pest management on your farm. Ensure regular bait station checks are undertaken and re-baiting completed as necessary. Additionally, ensure all potential food sources, such as calf meal and silage, are stored in rodent-proof containers.

6. Quarantine and vaccinate new stock
   Introducing new animals to your farm can present a risk. It is crucial to ensure all new stock are fully vaccinated against leptospirosis and, ideally, undergo a period of quarantine before being integrated with your existing herd. This minimises the risk of introducing the disease to your farm.

7. Vaccinate other on-farm animals
   If you have other livestock on your farm, such as sheep, pigs, or deer, ensure they are also fully vaccinated. These animals can become infected with leptospirosis and potentially spread the disease to your primary herd. Your veterinarian can provide expert advice on implementing appropriate vaccination programs for all types of animals on your farm.

Preventing neonatal calf diarrhea

Neonatal calf diarrhea (calf scours) is a common and potentially very serious disease that causes heavy diarrhea in newborn calves. Diarrhea may be yellow, green or gray in color, and may contain mucus and blood. Depending on the cause, the calf can become progressively dehydrated anl die if untreated. 

Neonatal calf diarrhea is most often caused by infection with E. coli, rotavirus, cryptosporidium (currently no vaccine available) or coronavirus, either alone or in combination. Other risk factors include: 

• A lack of colostrum (first antibody-rich milk from the mother).

• Poor absorption of colostrum

• Poor nutrition

• Close confinement with other animals

The following preventative strategies can, therefore, reduce the risk of neonatal calf diarrhea:

• Vacinate the entire herd against E. coli, rotavirus and coronavirus. 

• Administer colostrum, from vaccinated cows  as soon as possible after birth, as it contains protective antibodies from the mother. 

• Optimise feeding and hygiene practices.

Cattle clostridiosis: Vaccination and management

Clostridial diseases are caused by spores found in the environment. If ingested by cattle, the spores can lay dormant (inactive) until triggered by some type of change in the animal’s body. For example:  

• Changes to the diet, e.g. higher carbohydrate content.  

• External tissue wounds, e.g. castration, injection. 

• Internal tissue wounds, e.g. bruising, liver abscess caused by liver fluke infection. 

Clostridial vaccinations can be administered as combination products that protect against multiple strains. Vaccinate all youngstock, and discuss with your vet about vaccination of the entire herd. Practice the following strategies for preventing clostridiosis:

• Practice excellent hygiene and infection control measures during animal management e.g. castration. 

• Use clean/ new needles and equipment. Change needles frequently. 

• Treat wounds with antimicrobials if required. 

• Handle cattle carefully to avoid injury and bruising. 

• Control liver fluke in the environment.

Preventing reproductive diseases

Diseases that affect reproduction in cattle include BVD, leptospirosis and IBR. In addition to vaccinating the entire herd, you can also practice the following strategies for preventing reproductive diseases and their complications (e.g. abortion): 

• Maintaining excellent biosecurity, including animal testing prior to bringing new animals in, securing farm boundaries to prevent contact with other herds etc. 

• Maintain impeccable hygiene standards. 

• Clean and disinfect equipment shared between animals, farms or herds. 

The most effective way to protect your herd and your livelihood

A proactive and comprehensive cattle vaccination program helps  keep your cattle healthy and productive. The best vaccination plan for your herd will depend on various unique factors, so consult your qualified cattle vet to help you plan a tailored, effective approach.