Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside the U.S. and Canada) has introduced PRIME PAC PRRS RR, a vaccine that provides protection against respiratory and reproductive diseases caused by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus in swine.

Merck said the new product will help swine producers protect their herds against one of the costliest diseases in the industry.

PRIME PAC PRRS RR has shown to be effective for the vaccination of healthy swine three weeks of age or older against respiratory disease caused by PRRS virus and female breeding-age swine against reproductive disease caused by PRRS. The vaccine has duration of immunity against reproductive disease for at least 20 weeks, saving producers time and money.

“PRRS is a devastating disease for both growing pigs and sows,” said Dr. Brett O’Brien, technical services, Merck Animal Health. “The dual protection against respiratory and reproductive disease of PRIME PAC PRRS RR is imperative to keep pigs healthy. Its convenient dosing of 1 mL makes it easy for producers to implement in their disease-prevention protocols and safe for the animal.”

PRIME PAC PRRS RR also demonstrates good cross-protection in the face of heterologous PRRS virus challenge, helping to reduce infection in herds. However, when developing a PRRS virus vaccination program, O’Brien recommended working with a veterinarian to create both short-term and long-term plans.

“There are many important factors to consider, including biosecurity, animal flow and identifying high-risk entry points,” O’Brien said.

To learn more about PRIME PAC PRRS RR and advanced herd health challenges, visit www.merck-animal-health.com.