Nobivac Myxo-RHD

Nobivac Myxo-RHD is a vaccine that contains live myxoma-vectored rabbit-haemorrhagic-disease (RHD) virus strain 009. It is available as a lyophilisate (freeze-dried substance) and a solvent that are made up into a suspension for injection.

Nobivac Myxo-RHD is used in rabbits aged five weeks or more to reduce the number of deaths and clinical signs due to myxomatosis (skin tumours caused by the myxoma virus) and to prevent death due to RHD, a disease resulting in blood clot formation caused by the RHD virus.

Nobivac Myxo-RHD, like all vaccines, works by ‘teaching’ the immune system (the body’s natural defences) how to defend itself against a disease. It contains a weakened strain of the myxoma virus which has been genetically modified so that it can produce a protein of the RHD virus. When it is given to rabbits the immune system recognises the myxoma and RHD materials as ‘foreign’ and makes antibodies against them. In the future, if the rabbits are exposed to any of the viruses, the immune system will be able to respond more quickly. This will help to protect against the diseases.

Fifteen field and laboratory studies were carried out, in which rabbits vaccinated with Nobivac Myxo-RHD were compared with unvaccinated rabbits to establish the onset and duration of immunity against myxoma and RHD viruses.

The studies showed that Nobivac Myxo-RHD was effective in providing immunity against myxomatosis and RHD three weeks after vaccination and that the immunty was still present after one year. Rabbits that were vaccinated with Nobivac Myxo-RHD had fewer signs of myxomatosis, more antibodies against RHD virus in their blood and a lower death rate than unvaccinated rabbits.

A temporary increase in body temperature of 1-2°C can occur. There may also be a small, painless swelling at the injection site within the first two weeks after vaccination. The swelling will resolve completely by the end of the third week.

The withdrawal period is the time allowed after administration of the medicine and before the animal can be slaughtered and the meat used for human consumption. The withdrawal period for Nobivac Myxo-RHD is zero days.

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP) concluded that the benefits of Nobivac Myxo-RHD exceed the risks when used to reduce the number of deaths and clinical signs due to myxomatosis and prevent death due to rabbit haemorrhagic disease. The Committee recommended that Nobivac Myxo-RHD be given a marketing authorisation. The benefit-risk balance may be found in the scientific discussion module of this EPAR.

The European Commission granted a marketing authorisation valid throughout the European Union, for Nobivac Myxo-RHD to Intervet International BV on 7 September 2011. Information on the prescription status of this product may be found on the label / outer package.