Purevax RC

Purevax RC is a veterinary vaccine that contains:

• attenuated (weakened) feline rhinotracheitis herpesvirus (FHV F2 strain),
• inactivated (killed) calicivirosis antigens (FCV 431 and G1 strains).

Purevax RC is available as a lyophilisate (freeze-dried pellet) and solvent that are made up into a suspension for injection.

Purevax RC is used to vaccinate cats from the age of 8 weeks against:

• feline viral rhinotracheitis (a flu-like illness caused by a herpesvirus),
• feline calicivirosis (a flu-like illness with inflammation of the mouth caused by a calicivirus).

The vaccine helps to reduce the symptoms of the diseases and also helps to reduce viral excretion in case of calicivirus infection for one year after vaccination.

The vaccine is given as two doses injected under the skin. The first injection should be given in kittens aged at least eight weeks, with a second injection three to four weeks later. If the kitten has high levels of antibodies received from the mother in the womb and in the milk, the first vaccination should be delayed until 12 weeks of age. The cat should be revaccinated for all components one year after the first vaccination course, then every three years.

Purevax RC is a vaccine. Vaccines work by ‘teaching’ the immune system (the body’s natural defences) how to defend itself against a disease. Purevax RC contains small amounts of weakened or killed viruses that cause feline rhinotracheitis and calicivirosis.

When a cat is given the vaccine, the immune system recognises the weakened or killed viruses as ‘foreign’ and makes antibodies against them. In the future, the immune system will be able to produce antibodies more quickly when it is again exposed to the viruses. The antibodies will help to protect against the diseases caused by these viruses. When exposed to any of these viruses later in life, the cat will either not become infected or have a much less serious infection.

The effectiveness of Purevax RC has been studied in several trials in laboratory conditions where cats were vaccinated and infected with herpesvirus and calicivirus. In the field, the studies of Purevax RC looked at the basic vaccination schedule (2 injections 3–4 weeks apart) and at the booster vaccination. They included young and adult cats of various breeds, but not young kittens. The main measure of effectiveness was the level of antibodies in the blood against the viruses in the vaccine.

In laboratory conditions Purevax RC was demonstrated to provide protection against the diseases listed above. In the field study of basic vaccination there was an increase in antibodies against feline rhinotracheitis herpesvirus and calicivirus infection. In the study looking at booster vaccination, antibody levels against rhinotracheitis herpesvirus and calicivirus infection remained stable at a high level or increased slightly.

Occasionally, cats will develop temporary apathy (loss of interest in surroundings) and anorexia (loss of appetite), as well as hyperthermia (elevated body temperature) lasting for one or two days. There may be a local reaction at the injection site, with slight pain on touching, itching or oedema (swelling), which disappears within one or two weeks. For a full list of the side-effects reported with Purevax RC, see the package leaflet.

Purevax RC should not be used in pregnant cats.

In case of accidental self-injection medical advice should be sought immediately and the package leaflet or the label shown to the doctor.

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP) concluded that the benefits of Purevax RC exceed the risks for the approved indications and recommended that Purevax RC 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 Purevax RC on 23 February 2005. Information on the prescription status of this product may be found on the label/outer package.