The dose in all situations is 2.5mL injected subcutaneously (just under the skin) high on neck behind the ear.
Herd vaccination: To begin a herd vaccination programme, all animals must be vaccinated and a second dose given 4–6 weeks later. An annual booster dose of the vaccine must be given. This programme is applicable to dairy and beef herds.
Vaccination of calves: Early vaccination of calves is advisable to protect against acute leptospirosis ("Redwater"). Early vaccination is also advised to minimise the risk of animals becoming infected with leptospirosis and to prevent urinary shedding. Ultravac 7in1 has been shown to be efficacious in the presence of maternal antibody. Calves may therefore receive their first vaccination from 1 month of age1. Lasting efficacy, preventing urinary shedding of leptospires, can be expected if vaccination is commenced before first exposure. Calves infected prior to vaccination may become carriers and may continue to shed leptospires in the urine for several months, despite subsequent vaccination. Two doses should be given, 4–6 weeks apart. Calves less than 3 months of age at the time of the second vaccination should receive a single booster dose 6 months later. This booster may be used to align calves vaccinated “out of season” (i.e. when young, or in a town supply herd) with the annual herd booster.
Introduced stock: In the absence of a known history of vaccination, dose twice at a 4–6 week interval.
Development of immunity: Detectable levels of antibody develop 10 to 14 days after the second vaccination. The second dose of vaccine, 4 to 6 weeks after the first, is essential before a high level of immunity can develop. In cattle the L. borgpetersenii serovar hardjo component of Ultravac 7in1 has been demonstrated to induce a strong, sustained cell-mediated immune response against L. hardjo. A cell-mediated immune response is associated with protection against L. hardjo2,3.
Booster doses: To maintain immunity, all animals in the herd, including steers and bulls, should be revaccinated annually against leptospirosis. Breeding females should be given their annual booster about a month before calving or at drying off, which will also pass on temporary immunity to their offspring in their colostrum or “first milk”. A booster dose of a suitable multicomponent vaccine given 12 months after the two basic doses of vaccine should confer lifelong immunity against tetanus and blackleg. To maintain effective immunity against black disease, annual booster doses of a suitable multicomponent vaccine should be given.
The two basic doses of Ultravac 7in1 should provide effective immunity against enterotoxaemia for three months. Booster doses are therefore necessary to maintain immunity against enterotoxaemia in cattle and should be given at appropriate intervals according to local and seasonal conditions.