New targeted vaccine could improve European pig welfare

A brand new vaccine, Hyogen, launched by global animal health company, Ceva Sante Animale will help to improve the welfare of European pigs. The vaccine, which protects against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, uses a unique field relevant strain and novel adjuvant that can boost innate and adaptive immunity. Respiratory diseases are still the biggest health issue for the swine industry worldwide with the associated loss of performance also having a major economic impact.

With 90 percent of swine farms worldwide affected by respiratory disease and an urgent need to preserve the future of antibiotics by reducing the previous practice of prophylactic use, the adoption of targeted, preventative health programs has become even more critical.

Hyogen provides superior protection against the respiratory infection caused by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacteria. The one shot application at weaning makes it easy to administer and as a killed bacterial vaccine combined with a potent adjuvant, it confers the longest protection of up to 26 weeks, throughout the entire fattening period. Not all vaccines currently available in Europe, are able to achieve this leaving pigs vitally exposed at critical times in the growth cycle.
Ceva began extensive in-field research of a practical tool to support use of the vaccine with the launch of the Ceva Lung Program in Asia two years ago and now in Europe. Respiratory experts developed the program, which was then simplified into practical guidelines and an easy-to-use iPad and Android app, which have made it much easier to evaluate the presence and impact of the main respiratory pathogens on farms and in the slaughterhouse. As a result, it is much easier to target vaccination according to individual herd requirements.
In some European countries, investigated herds had a 100 percent infection rate of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, this level of infection can prolong the time to slaughter weight by 5.6 days. Following its rapid rise into the top 3 global poultry vaccine and equipment suppliers, Ceva decided to concentrate its swine research on respiratory health, an area where it felt it could have most significant benefit for producers.