Vaccination of Dairy Cattle

Abstract

Studies continue to design the best vaccination programs for today's dairy herds and to maximize immune function. Designing a vaccination program involves a good history of the individual farm as well as a basic understanding of the immune system. The vaccines chosen should have good solid efficacy studies (as well as effectiveness and efficiency studies if possible) to ensure that the product can fulfill the needs of the farm or ranch. Management decisions may be made that do not maximize the potential of the product chosen and realistic expectations of all products should be well explained to the producer before they are used. The owner should be involved in the vaccine decision making process and all of the information on the product should be shared.

The establishment of good baseline immunity in replacement heifers is the foundation of the vaccination program and can have dramatic effects on the health and profitability of the herd and needs to be well planned.