Kirkland, - Merck Animal Health is pleased to announce the Canadian registration of Circumvent® PCV G2, the first porcine circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) vaccine for use in pigs as early as 3 days of age*. The new vaccine offers convenient one- or two-dose administration options with five-month duration of immunity (DOI), which is longer than any other PCV2 vaccine on the market. "Vaccines with longer DOI can provide better protection and potentially reduce mortality just prior to marketing, where the loss of a pig approaches its market value," says Derald Holtkamp, D.V.M., M.S., associate professor, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine[1]. "In a barn of 1,000 pigs, if just one 122.5 kg pig is saved, and carcass prices are at $2.20/kg, the benefit is more than $200, or $0.20 per pig."
Merck Animal Health is focused on providing new products that get pigs off to a healthy, stronger start for a more profitable finish, as well as on responding to the changing needs of its customers. "Whether your operation uses a one-dose vaccine protocol or you choose to vaccinate with two doses, Circumvent PCV G2 offers you convenience and the same superior efficacy you have come to expect from our Circumvent line of vaccines," says Brad Thacker, D.V.M., M.B.A., Ph.D., Merck Animal Health US senior technical services veterinarian. "We are pleased that we can now offer our customers options that make their operations even more efficient and productive, and excited that this new vaccine is just the beginning of what we will be able to offer the industry in terms of PCV2 protection."
- One-dose option: One 2-mL dose can be given to pigs 3 weeks of age or older.
- Two-dose option: The initial 1-mL dose can be given to pigs as early as 3 days of age* with the second 1-mL dose following three weeks later.
Circumvent PCV G2 aids in the prevention of PCV2 viremia, which is the presence of the virus in a pig's blood. Even low levels of PCV2 viremia can affect a herd's daily gains and feed efficiency. Vaccines that help prevent PCV2 viremia are ideal because they minimize damage caused by the infection. This vaccine also aids in the reduction of virus shedding and aids in the reduction of lymphoid infection caused by porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2).
*In the event of high maternal antibodies, vaccination at 3 days of age is not recommended.
PCV2 Resource Tools
In addition to providing innovative products that help support our customers' livelihoods, Merck Animal Health offers resource tools to help support decision making based on the individual needs of each operation. Producers can determine which Circumvent option is right for them using the vaccination planning tool. Using the Circumvent savings calculator, producers can learn more about how using Circumvent vaccines can have a positive
impact on their bottom line.
Please visit Circumvent-G2.ca for more information on Circumvent PCV G2 vaccine.
Source: Merck Animal Health