To avoid introducing preventable diseases onto your unit. Knowing the vaccination history of the animals will allow the implementation of an effective vaccination schedule.

Reproductive disease vaccination recommendations:

 

Breeding herd	Piglets	Breeding sows
Lepto-Eryvac - this is a combined vaccine for leptospirosis and erysipelas only	Piglets born to vaccinated sows: 1st dose at weaning (4 weeks) and 2nd dose 4-6 weeks later. Vaccinate all piglets born to unvaccinated sows when introduced onto piggery.	Vaccinate breeding sows one month prior to farrowing (with semi-annual booster).   Booster – twice yearly.

 In general, all animals can start the vaccination program regardless of age and sex.
 

Porcine Parvac

This is especially important for breeding pigs as it can cause reproductive failure. It is a very tough virus and can survive in the environment for months so can be difficult to eliminate once on your property.
 

Routine vaccination

1st dose 20-24 weeks of age 2nd dose 4-6 weeks later   Booster: Twice yearly (before mating) or when piglets are weaned.

In previously unvaccinated herds: as above for all breeding females (any age).
 
Boars should be vaccinated with 2 doses of the vaccine 4-6 weeks apart followed up by booster twice yearly.
 
In non-breeding units, erysipelas control is an option with Eryvac (first dose at weaning and second dose 4-6 weeks later). Nb: If vaccinating piglets, the primary dose might need to be delayed if sows boosted with erysipelas vaccine close to farrowing.
 
 

Respiratory disease

Pigs are at risk from Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae if they are kept in confined areas with as high stocking rate.  Outdoor pigs on lifestyle blocks are less at risk.
 

Piglets	Pregnant sows
At one week old and booster 2 weeks later.	2-6 weeks before farrowing and  re-vaccination  2 weeks prior to farrowing. Re-vaccinate very 6 months.

Neonatal diarrhoea

 Enterotoxigenic e-coli can affect neonates (less than 4days old). It does not provide effective protection against e-coli strains affecting weaned piglets or other causes of scours.
Vaccinate the pregnant sow to provide a passive immunity to the pigs via the colostrum.
 
Primary vaccination protocol :
(previous unvaccinated sows and sows in their first pregnancy)
 
1^st: 8-10 weeks before farrowing
2^nd 2-4 weeks before farrowing
 at an interval of 4-8 weeks between vaccinations .
 
Booster: In subsequent pregnancies one dose 2-4 weeks before farrowing is required.
 

• Post weaning diarrhoea is also common in piglets so if you buy in weaned piglets at this age then preventative treatment with an in- feed antibiotic at therapeutic doses will help to prevent clinical disease.