Merck’s Porcilis Ileitis vaccine approved for multi-dose administration

Merck Animal Health recently announced its Porcilis Ileitis vaccine is now approved for multi-dose administration to vaccinate piglets against ileitis caused by Lawsonia intracellularis.

Previously approved to be given as one 2-milliliter dose at three weeks of age, the new license includes an option to administer two 1-ml doses and to vaccinate as early as three days of age with a booster three weeks later.

“The new label claim gives veterinarians and swine producers the option to start vaccinating against ileitis at the time of piglet processing,” said veterinarian Jack Creel, associate director of swine technical services at Merck. “The timing also allows it to be administered at the same time as Circumvent PCV G2 or Circumvent PCVM G2 vaccines as recommended by a veterinarian.”

Ileitis involves pathological changes in the small intestine and exists on most farms, according to The Pig Site. It affects performance, including variations in weight gain, reduced feed efficiency, poorer grading and impaired gut function.

Porcilis Ileitis received USDA approval in 2015 and, according to Merck, was the first licensed injectable vaccine against the disease. Unlike live attenuated vaccines, this inactivated vaccine provides protection without interference that can be caused by antibiotic treatments, so it’s not necessary to remove feed- or water-grade antibiotics during the vaccination period, the announcement said.

It comes in 100 or 500 ml sizes and is ready-to-use with no mixing.