Frequently asked questions

Q. How do I know if a custom vaccine is the right solution?
A. Talk to your veterinarian. Disease outbreaks that do not respond to traditional animal health prevention and treatment programs may suggest that you try a custom vaccine. In other cases, changes in management programs, health protocols or nutrition can also help.

Q. Are custom vaccines expensive?
A. Custom vaccines are competitively priced, however a minimum order size of 10,000 doses or $4,000 is required.

Q. Are custom vaccines as safe as commercial vaccines?
A. Yes. Custom vaccines must undergo tests for both safety and purity, under USDA regulations.

Q. How long does it take to get a custom vaccine made?
A. From the time a sample is submitted for diagnosis until a vaccine is delivered to the veterinarian, the process usually takes 12 weeks. This time can be slightly shorter or longer depending on whether the diagnosis is clear, and other factors relating to production.

Q. Can one vaccine cover more than one disease?
A. Yes. Novartis Animal Health's laboratory is approved to produce vaccines that are a combination of one or more bacteria, viruses and other agents depending on your health needs.

Q. What is the difference between a custom vaccine and a commercial vaccine?
A. A custom vaccine can be produced to address a specific disease situation and can be manufactured very quickly, while a commercial vaccine may take several years to be fully licensed. The main reason for this difference is that commercial vaccines must be tested to demonstrate that there is a significant difference between animals that are vaccinated and non-vaccinated animals. It can take considerable time to establish the disease challenge models used to validate these tests. For most diseases and for either commercial or custom vaccines, the best way to prove field efficacy is by actual field use.