Have you ever wondered or heard someone say, “Why did I vaccinate my chickens and they still got sick and died!”
Or a doctor/physician is blamed, “Why did my dog/cat get sick and you gave the vaccine?” Before we get those answers, let’s first ask ourselves WHAT IS A VACCINATION?
A vaccine is a biological preparation that provides antibodies (protection) against a specific disease. The protection is either temporary or lifelong.
Vaccines are usually live or dead microorganisms (antigens) that cause the disease but are attenuated so as not to cause harm to the body and are given in a dose that can activate the body’s immunity against the disease in question.
For example. Newcastle Vaccine is a live microorganism that causes smallpox but attenuated so as to provide protection against future smallpox/Measles infections.
Vaccines teach the body’s immune system how to recognize and fight bacteria or viruses before disease occurs.
Some vaccines require only one dose, such as the Smallpox vaccine, while others require several doses to provide full protection, such as the Measles/HIV vaccine.
It is important to understand that it is NOT the vaccine that protects the body, but the body that protects itself against the disease (the body produces immunity/protection). There are diseases that if an animal or bird gets sick and recovers, it cannot get sick again because the body has developed a sufficient level of protection/immunity against that disease, for example, FLU for chickens, Measles for humans.
The vaccine is given in the following ways:
1. Airway (Inhalation)/Breathing.
The vaccine mixed with water is blown into the air and the bird inhales it using its nose.
2. Drink/Water/Milk without cream.
The vaccine is mixed with safe water and then given to birds or animals to drink
. Example: Kideri (Lasota strain)
3. Injection/Prick
Using a special needle, birds are injected into important areas either on the skin of the wing or under the skin. For example, smallpox and gumboro.
4. Drops.
The vaccine is given in the form of drops that are placed in the eye.
For example, Kideri.
REASONS FOR VACCINATION FAILING TO PROTECT AN ANIMAL.
1. Failure to control the temperature (4-8C).
Vaccines are usually stored in a refrigerator at 4-8 degrees Celsius according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Therefore, from the moment the vaccine reaches you before giving it to the bird or animal, it must be kept at a temperature of 4-8C. At any stage, a vaccine that has not been kept at that temperature will not provide protection for your animals and if the disease comes, they will get sick like other animals that have not been vaccinated against the disease.
Therefore, for a good and stable vaccine, it is necessary for all stakeholders, Manufacturers, Distributors and Sellers to ensure that the vaccine is kept at the required temperature.
“This is the main reason why many vaccines fail to work properly.”
NB: THE VACCINE SHOULD NOT BE FREEZED OR PLACED IN A FREEZER
2. WEAK animals and those NOT receiving proper food or special treatment.
This weakness, which is caused by illness, poor nutrition (poor quality) causes the body to fail to produce the necessary (sufficient) amount to protect the body against the disease in question, which causes illness when attacked by insects.
But also, due to the body’s failure to produce a level of immunity, such parasites can become the source of an outbreak of disease in an animal or on your farm.
NB: VACCINATION IS GIVEN TO ANIMALS THAT ARE IN GOOD HEALTH AND NOT WEAK IN ANY CONDITION.
3. Expired vaccine.
It happens very rarely, but it is good to check the expiration date of the vaccine and if it does not look good or is missing, it is better not to buy the vaccine or not to use it because the parasites in the vaccine will not be able to protect your animals.
4. The body fails to recognize the vaccine cells (germs) and causes immunity to not be produced (NON-RESPONDER).
This is a biological cause and is not caused by the quality of the vaccine. And these organisms are very rare in the group except for animals that are owned by a few people such as dogs, cats, horses, etc. They are very important.
It is advisable to measure the level of immunity (Antibody titer) after vaccination to determine whether the vaccine administered has provided adequate protection in your animal group.
Contact a Veterinarian.
5. Using Mixtures or Incorrect Methods in Administering Vaccines.
For this reason, the ingredients (water/skimmed milk) should not contain any chemicals, toxins, or minerals.
Therefore, any water that is treated (Chlorinated), Rainwater (Chemical and Mineral) and Well Water (High Mineral Levels), these chemicals reduce or kill the vaccine pathogens and cause the quality of the vaccine to decrease and your animals to not be protected to the appropriate level. (There are additives that are not harmful to the vaccine pathogens and are mixed with water before vaccination that reduce or eliminate the effects of Chlorine and Minerals on the vaccine pathogens).
DO NOT USE TREATED WATER TO MIX WITH VACCINE.
6. Vaccinate in the MORNING or EVENING when the ambient temperature is lower.
Extreme heat causes stress in animals or birds and causes stress to the animal’s body, which can lead to unexpected consequences.
7. Use of antibiotics before or after vaccination.
As we saw earlier, vaccines are live or dead parasites, meaning they are affected by antibiotics like other pathogens.
It is best not to vaccinate 3 days before or according to the withdrawal period of the relevant drug (each drug has its own time, see the medicine label) for this reason, the vaccine will remain in the animal’s body for 3 days after vaccination to give the body enough time to produce immunity.
8. Small amount of vaccine (dose).
This happens when you give a small amount of vaccine (few parasites) which fails to activate the immune system sufficiently, which leads to the animal not getting enough protection. For example, you have 1600 chickens and you give them enough vaccine for 1000 chickens, meaning that the chickens are more than the vaccination rate, meaning they will not get the protection they need to protect them from the disease.
Things to consider before giving a vaccine .
1. It is best to vaccinate under the supervision of a Veterinarian.
2. Before vaccinating, consult a veterinarian to verify the health of your animals (Do not vaccinate weak, malnourished or sick animals).
3. If you are using water, make sure your water is safe for mixing the vaccine (Do not use treated water)
4. Give the vaccine in the morning or evening (when the temperature is low)
5. Do not use antibiotics 3 days before or after.
6. Make sure your vaccine has not expired.
By following the correct vaccination procedure and using an improved vaccine, we will certainly avoid deaths resulting from poor vaccination.
