Custom Vaccines

Custom vaccines for cattle | Custom vaccines for swine

How are custom vaccines produced?
Regulations governing custom vaccines
Frequently asked questions
Comparison of Commercial and Autogenous Vaccines [pdf]
Read how custom vaccines helped solve a scours complex [pdf]
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Sometimes, commercial vaccines are not the best answer to a tough animal health problem. Many of the bacteria and viruses that cause disease, such as BVD, E. coli and Mycoplasma in cattle and PRRS, H. parasuis and SIV in swine undergo frequent minor changes or mutations called antigenic variations. If animals become infected with bacteria or viruses that are slightly different than those in commercial vaccines, the vaccine may not be effective. In some cases, a commercial vaccine has not yet been developed, or is not offered in the best combination for your situation.

If you are facing disease challenges in your herd, a custom vaccine could be a viable solution for a specific disease problem. Custom vaccines are custom-made specifically for your operation. They might be a solution in these circumstances:

• Unusual strains of a bacteria or virus that may be slightly different than those in commercial vaccines
• Chronic disease problems that do not respond well to commercial vaccines
• Combinations not available in commercial vaccines
• New infections for which no vaccine has yet been developed

Working with your veterinarian, Novartis Animal Health develops vaccines that are custom-made to address specific health problems. These quality vaccines are manufactured in a USDA-approved facility and they undergo rigorous testing for safety and purity.

The regulations governing custom vaccines are very strict. Although many major biological companies do not offer custom vaccines, Novartis Animal Health has a team of professionals that excels in accurate diagnoses and producing high-quality custom vaccines that meet your specific needs.

In some cases, custom vaccines are a stepping stone to a commercial vaccine. Fusogard, for example, started out as a custom vaccine for footrot. Other producers faced the same dilemma and wanted a similar vaccine. Experience with the custom vaccine helped researchers design the tests needed to bring Fusogard to the marketplace.