New Modified-live PRRS Vaccine

February 29, 2012 — 

Fostera™ PRRS, a modified-live vaccine for growing pigs from Pfizer Animal Health. Researchers created unique cell lines that were able to express a newly discovered key receptor protein for the PRRS virus (PRRSv). This innovative thinking was pivotal in bringing Fostera PRRS to the pork industry.

A challenge study conducted by Pfizer demonstrated that Fostera™ PRRS, which is the first and only PRRSv vaccine to earn the label claim aid in prevention of PRRS respiratory disease, reduced lung lesions by 84 percent and reduced overall respiratory clinical signs by 80 percent. Additionally, results showed vaccination with Fostera™ PRRS improved average daily gain by 2.5 times compared to pigs in the placebo group.

Additional information available on the Pfizer Animal Health website indicates that the vaccine virus may be shed and transmitted to other populations of swine in direct or indirect contact with vaccinated swine. The duration of potential vaccine virus transmission may vary. Non-vaccinated pigs in contact with Fostera™ PRRS vaccinated pigs may seroconvert to vaccine virus.

Source: Pork Point, Pfizer Animal Health News Release, Feb. 27, 2012