Purevax RCPCh FeLV

Purevax RCPCh FeLV is available as a lyophilisate (freeze-dried pellet) and solvent that are made up into a suspension for injection. 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 year for chlamydiosis and feline leukaemia, and every three years for rhinotracheitis, calicivirosis and panleucopenia.

For more information on how to use Purevax RCPCh FeLV, see the package leaflet or contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.

Purevax RCPCh FeLV is a vaccine. Vaccines work by ‘teaching’ the immune system (the body’s natural defences) how to defend itself against a disease. Purevax RCPCh FeLV contains small amounts of weakened or killed viruses and bacteria that cause feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirosis, chlamydiosis and panleucopenia. To protect against feline leukaemia, the vaccine contains two genes from the FeLV called env and gag, which have been inserted into another vector (carrier) virus called canarypox using ‘recombinant DNA technology’. The canarypox viruses do not spread or multiply in the cat but they do produce proteins from the FeLV genes.

When a cat is given the vaccine, the immune system recognises the weakened or killed viruses, the FeLV proteins, and the weakened bacteria 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 or bacteria. The antibodies will help to protect against the diseases caused by these viruses or bacteria. When exposed to any of these viruses or bacteria later in life, the cat will either not become infected or have a much less serious infection.

The effectiveness of Purevax RCPCh FeLV has been studied in several trials in laboratory conditions where cats were vaccinated and infected with herpesvirus, calicivirus, C. felis, parvovirus or leukaemia virus. In the field, the studies of Purevax RCPCh FeLV looked at the basic vaccination schedule (2 injections 3–4 weeks apart) and 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 and bacteria in the vaccine, with the exception of the FeLV component, whose effectiveness in preventing infection had already been demonstrated in other studies.

In laboratory conditions, Purevax RCPCh FeLV 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, calicivirus infection, and feline panleucopenia viruses. It was not possible to detect a rise in antibodies against C. felis because of high levels of antibodies in the cats at the beginning of the study. In the study looking at booster vaccination, antibody levels against rhinotracheitis herpesvirus, calicivirus infection, feline panleucopenia and C. felis remained stable at a high level or increased slightly.

The most common side effects with Purevax RCPCh FeLV (which may affect up to 1 in 10 animals) are 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.

Purevax RCPCh FeLV should not be used in pregnant cats and during lactation.

For a full list of side effects and restrictions of Purevax RCPCh FeLV, see the package leaflet.

In case of accidental self-injection medical advice should be sought immediately and the package leaflet or the label shown to the doctor. The vaccine should not be handled by people with a weak immune system. If self-injection does occur in these people, the doctor should be told that self-injection with a live chlamydial vaccine has occurred.

The European Medicines Agency decided that Purevax RCPCh FeLV’s benefits are greater than its risks and it can be authorised for use in the EU.

Purevax RCPCh FeLV received a marketing authorisation valid throughout the EU on 23 February 2005.