FAQs - Vaccine Specific

Because the vector is an insect, there are no guaranteed methods to prevent transmission of the disease. Control by avoiding or removing midge breeding grounds may reduce vector numbers, and Defra and SEERAD advise keeping stock away from low-lying damp grazing, particularly at dawn and dusk. Dung heaps or slurry pits should be covered or removed, and their perimeters (where most larvae are found) regularly scraped. Defra have recommended the active ingredient deltamethrin as likely to be the most effective insecticide against midges. One deltamethrin-based pour on product, Butox SWISH, has also been shown to be effective at killing midges on treated cattle for up to 4 weeks, and other insecticides may have some effect. However preventing all midge bites is virtually impossible, so vaccination is the key method that can prevent disease spread.

Vaccination of all animals is important as even subclinically affected animals will act as a reservoir of infection and allow the disease to spread further, which would keep the disease in circulation for years to come. In addition, it is impossible to predict what effect the disease might have on any individual herd, so not vaccinating is a huge risk.

EU law states that vaccine can only be used in a PZ so Defra are only releasing vaccine for use in that area. However they will constantly expand the PZ as vaccine is used over the summer until all of England is covered.

Defra, who have bought the vaccine form Intervet, have stated that the final on-farm price will be 55p-66p/dose for the 50-dose (50ml) bottles and 82p-98p/dose for the 20-dose (20ml) bottles. This includes overheads relating to admin and distribution. Costs will vary with vet fees and if people require supervision for its use or for certification purposes, costs may be higher.

You will only be able to obtain the vaccine when your farm is within a protection zone (PZ). It is prescription-only medicine (POM-V) available from your vet.  Most practices outside the PZ have arranged customer ordering systems in advance of vaccine availability so check with them for the exact details.

Sheep require only a single 1ml subcutaneous injection.

The vaccine needs to be stored in the fridge at 2^oC to 8^oC. Once opened, it must be used within 8 hours.

This can be done by vet, farmer or stockman. If animals are vaccinated with a view to movement into a BT free zone, other than in England, they will probably require a self declaration or a certificate to prove they were vaccinated. In such cases veterinary administration or supervision may be required. Please refer to the latest Defra guidelines for the most up to date advice on this subject.

Because this vaccine has a provisional licence there is no data currently available on the use in pregnant or lactating animals so we advise speaking to your vet before vaccinating such animals.  However Bovilis BTV8 is a killed vaccine with adjuvants commonly used in veterinary vaccines and we anticipate no issues.

The vaccine can be used on animals over one month of age.

Work to establish this is currently on-going.

There is nil withhold for meat or milk.

3 weeks after vaccination for sheep and 3 weeks after the second vaccination for cattle.

Defra has ordered 2.5 million doses for Wales and 20 million for England. Demand is likely to be greater than supply so it is advisable that farmers place their orders with vets as soon as they are able.   A tender for a further 13 million doses has also been announced.

Yes, if you want to stop the disease spreading through your own herd and to the rest of the country.

All vaccines that are granted a licence in the UK have to be proven to be safe and effective. 

Under EU law, vaccination can only be carried out within a designated PZ. Vaccinated livestock will be able to move out of the zone subject to specific conditions and at set times after vaccination, so check the Defra, Welsh Assembly or Scottish Government websites for the latest information.

Let your vet know how much vaccine you will need when it is available. Plan how you will get all stock in to vaccinate them and make sure that when you get the vaccine, you will be able to do the whole herd in one go. Also be aware of any certification or declaration you may require according to Defra rules should you want to move your animals outside the PZ. To reduce the risk of disease in the meantime, vector control as per question 1 should be considered.

Ensure you know how many animals you have to be vaccinated (both cattle and sheep). Inform your vet and ask to be alerted as soon as they have vaccine in stock.

The vaccine has only been tested on cattle and sheep, but if other species are to be vaccinated we suggest to veterinary surgeons that the cattle protocol (2 doses of 1ml 3 weeks apart) is used.

We are unaware of any specific plans to do so at the moment, but check the Defra website for any latest information.

Bovilis BTV-8 has not been tested for safety or efficacy when used at the same time as any other products. We would advise against using other vaccines, flukicides and injectable wormers.  Please speak to your veterinary surgeon for more specific advice. 

50 and 20 dose bottles will be available.

No, there is no cross protection between the different serotypes.

The data sheet describes lumps that may be seen for up to a few weeks post vaccination and some animals may show a small rise in temperature for up to 24 hours.

The vaccine is not oil based so we would expect no specific problems.  However we would advise that you visit your GP and take along the pack insert from the vaccine bottle.  If you have any sort of reaction then please inform our Veterinary Support Group on 01908 685685.

No, we recommend that you change the needle at regular intervals as normal.

Whatever size you normally use for subcutaneous vaccines, but an 18 gauge would normally be suitable.

Intervet have sourced a large number of 1ml vaccinator guns which are available to buy through vets and trade outlets and suitable for use with the 50ml bottle. For the 20ml bottle it is suggested that any top-mounted vaccinator which can be calibrated to deliver a 1ml dose can be used, or alternatively needles and syringes. Top mounted guns can be sourced from veterinary wholesalers.

Stericaps are compatible with the Bovilis BTV-8 guns and many top loading vaccinators, and the 500 dose refill pack contains all the necessary components. They can be bought from most trade outlets or sourced via veterinary wholesalers.