Startvac

Startvac is a vaccine for cows that contains inactivated (killed) bacteria called Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Startvac is an emulsion for injection that is available in vials (3, 10 and 50 ml).

Startvac is used to strengthen the immunity of whole herds of otherwise healthy dairy cows in herds that are known to have problems due to mastitis (inflammation of the udder due to infection). The strengthened immunity reduces the number of cows affected and the severity of clinical signs.

Startvac is given to all healthy cows in a herd, during and after pregnancy. It is given as three injections into the neck muscle: the first is given 45 days before the cow is expected to give birth, the second 35 days later, and the third after another 62 days. The full course of injections should be repeated for every pregnancy.

Startvac is a vaccine. Vaccines work by ‘teaching’ the immune system (the body’s natural defences) how to defend itself against a disease. Startvac contains killed forms of two bacteria that normally cause mastitis (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus). When it is given to a cow, the animal’s immune system recognises the bacteria as ‘foreign’ and makes antibodies against them. In the future, the immune system will be able to make the antibodies more quickly when it is exposed to the bacteria again. The antibodies will help to fight the bacteria, preventing mastitis occurring or reducing the severity of its symptoms.

The vaccine also contains an ‘adjuvant’ (liquid paraffin) to stimulate a better response.

The company has carried out a number of studies, including one main study that looked at the effectiveness of Startvac in dairy cows under field conditions. The study compared cows that were given Startvac with those that were given placebo (a dummy vaccine) and looked at the number of cows with mastitis, the severity of mastitis symptoms, and milk production.

The studies showed that Startvac reduced the number of cows with mastitis due to Staphylococcus aureus and related bacteria and it reduced the severity of the symptoms in the cows that had mastitis. Vaccination with Startvac also led to an increased number of cows being cured of the infection, a reduction in the number of cows that needed treatment for mastitis, and an increase in the quantity and quality of milk production.

Startvac injections did not have any harmful effects on pregnancy or giving birth, or on the cows’ calves.

The vaccine may cause temporary swelling and pain at the site of injection. It may also cause a temporary increase in body temperature.

Startvac contains liquid paraffin (a type of mineral oil). Accidental injection or self-injection could cause severe pain and swelling, particularly if the vaccine is injected into a joint or finger. In rare cases, this could result in the loss of the affected finger if prompt medical attention is not given.

If you are accidentally injected with this product, seek medical advice promptly, even if only a very small amount is injected, and take the package leaflet with you. If pain persists for more than 12 hours after medical examination, seek medical advice again.

The withdrawal period is zero days. The animal can be slaughtered for food at any time after injection.

Milk can be taken at any time after injection.

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP) concluded that the benefits of Startvac exceed the risks for herd immunisation of healthy cows and heifers, in dairy cattle herds with recurring mastitis problems, to reduce the incidence of sub-clinical mastitis and the incidence and severity of the clinical signs of clinical mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus, coliforms and coagulase-negative staphylococci, and recommended that Startvac be given a marketing authorisation. The benefit-risk balance may be found in module 6 of this EPAR.

The European Commission granted a marketing authorisation valid throughout the European Union, for Startvac to Laboratorios Hipra, S.A. on 11 February 2009. Information on the prescription status of this product may be found on the label / outer package.