Combination vaccines for cattle

Abstract

Multivalent vaccines are used commonly for the prevention of human and animal diseases. However, they should not be used in replacement of good hygiene or good management practices but only after careful considerations based on epidemiology, convenience, cost, difficulty of differential diagnosis, best interest of the animals and their owners. Combination vaccines on the market today have been tested for their safety and efficacy during their development, leading to a government license for sale. Any combination vaccine that passed the rigorous procedures of the EC directive 92/18 could be used with the same benefits as a monovalent product. Several biologicals are available in Europe to control bovine respiratory disease and neonatal diarrhea. The veterinarian should use her or his judgement in selecting the right product for a specific customer.