Boehringer Ingelheim launches two new PRRS vaccines

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica has increased its health protection range for UK pig producers with the introduction of two new vaccines against Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome. Ingelvac PRRSFLEX^® EU is a piglet-specific vaccine, while ReproCyc^® PRRS EU is for breeding gilts and sows.

Ingelvac PRRSFLEX EU reduces respiratory clinical signs due to PRRS virus infection and is the only piglet-specific PRRS vaccine available to UK producers. It can be used for the active immunisation of healthy pigs from as early as 17 days of age.

ReproCyc PRRS EU is for breeding gilts and sows in herds affected with PRRS, and can be administered at all stages of the reproductive cycle as part of a mass vaccination programme. Vaccination of breeding females reduces PRRS-induced reproductive disorders such as premature farrowing, weak-born piglets and neonatal mortality. Vaccinated gilts and sows show decreased transplacental PRRS virus transmission from infected females to piglets and a reduction in the negative effects of PRRS virus infection on their piglets during the suckling period. 

“We are very confident that the simultaneous launch of two new vaccines will significantly benefit UK pig producers”, states Dr David Strachan, Swine Business Manager at Boehringer Ingelheim. “The company has worked hard to develop an effective solution for sustainable whole-herd PRRS control, and we are convinced that these two new vaccines are a great combination.”

PRRS affects pigs around the globe, causing reproductive failure in breeding stock and respiratory tract illness, slower growth and increased mortality in growing pigs. The resultant economic losses can be considerable, with UK estimates of around £107 per sow per year on a 500-sow farrow-to-finish unit in the chronic phase of the disease. The launch of Ingelvac PRRSFLEX EU and ReproCyc PRRS EU represent a new opportunity for producers to protect their whole herds against the negative impacts of PRRS.