Merck launches Nasalgen 3-PMH vaccine for cattle

Merck Animal Health has introduced Nasalgen 3-PMH, which the company says is the only intranasal vaccine that protects beef and dairy cattle from the five most common pneumonia-causing viral and bacterial pathogens.

The vaccine provides early, broad-spectrum respiratory protection in a needle-free, animal- and Beef Quality Assurance-friendly administration, according to Merck.

“Nasalgen 3-PMH is a modified-live, intranasal vaccine that stimulates a strong early immune response to help give calves a strong foundation of respiratory disease protection,” said Scott Nordstrom, Merck’s director of livestock innovation and discovery. “Results of efficacy, duration of immunity and safety studies demonstrate the vaccine is safe and effective for calves at one week of age or older.”

The vaccine offers six-and-a-half-month duration of immunity against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, an 11-week DOI against bovine respiratory syncytial virus, a three-month DOI against parainfluenza 3, and a four-month DOI against Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida.

According to Merck, when young calves are vaccinated, maternal antibodies from colostrum can interfere with the vaccine’s effectiveness. This intranasal vaccine is unique because it’s delivered to mucosal surfaces in the nose, containing many immunologically active tissues, to avoid interference from maternal antibodies.

Intranasal vaccines are also less stressful on calves compared to similar injectable vaccines, Merck said.