Prior to the new vaccine - AQUAVAC® PD3 - two separate injections were administered to protect fish against pancreas disease and other major salmon diseases.
Multiple injections not only increase the workload for fish farmers, but can negatively impact fish welfare and growth due to increased handling and extra feed withdrawal periods.
“AQUAVAC PD3 was developed in response to requests from fish farmers for a combination vaccine that protects against major diseases with a single injection,” said Chris Beattie, Ph.D., Head, Global Aquaculture, MSD Animal Health.
“As the global demand for seafood continues to grow, MSD Animal Health is committed to working with our customers to provide innovative solutions such as AQUAVAC PD3, which can help fish farmers save time and increase productivity while protecting against the most common diseases facing the industry.”
Approved indications:
AQUAVAC® PD3 is indicated for the active immunization of Atlantic salmon to:
- Reduce clinical signs (heart lesions and pancreas lesions), viremia, viral shedding and mortality from infection with pancreas disease (SPDV)
- Reduce mortality from infections with infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPNV)
- Reduce mortality from infections with furunculosis (Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida)
Laboratory tests and field trials have demonstrated that AQUAVAC PD3 provides at least 16 months protection against furunculosis and at least 15 months against pancreas disease.
In addition, trials have demonstrated a reduction in shedding of salmon pancreas disease virus. Protection against mortality due to IPNV infection has been demonstrated at four months in the field.
