Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada) has introduced Nasalgen 3-PMH, the only intranasal vaccine that protects beef and dairy cattle from the five most common pneumonia-causing viral and bacterial pathogens.

The vaccine provides early, broad-spectrum respiratory protection in a needle-free, animal- and Beef Quality Assurance-friendly administration, the company said.

“Nasalgen 3-PMH is a modified-live, intranasal vaccine that stimulates a strong early immune response to help give calves a strong foundation of respiratory disease protection,” said Dr. Scott Nordstrom, director of livestock innovation and discovery, Merck Animal Health. “Results of efficacy, duration of immunity and safety studies demonstrate the vaccine is safe and effective for calves at one week of age or older.”

Nasalgen 3-PMH offers 6.5-month duration of immunity (DOI) against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), an 11-week DOI against bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), three-month DOI against parainfluenza 3 (PI3), as well as a four-month DOI against Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida.

Typically, when young calves are vaccinated, maternal antibodies from colostrum may interfere with the vaccine’s effectiveness, Merck said. However, Nasalgen intranasal vaccines are unique because they are delivered to mucosal surfaces in the nose — an area loaded with immunologically active tissues — to avoid interference from maternal antibodies. Also, intranasal vaccines are also less stressful on calves compared to similar injectable vaccinations.

The introduction of Nasalgen 3-PMH follows the launch earlier this year of Nasalgen 3, the company said, noting that both vaccines designed with strains of IBR and PI3 that are not temperature-sensitive, so the vaccines will replicate and protect in a moderate to high temperature environment.

“If producers are working cattle in warm temperatures, both type of Nasalgen 3 vaccines will still replicate,” Nordstrom said. “The IBR antigen elicits a rapid interferon response as well, which provides non-specific protection against many viruses. Cattle are protected early on and then develop both a serum and mucosal antibody response within two weeks of vaccination.”

Either Nasalgen 3-PMH or Nasalgen 3 is administered in a single 2-mL dose that is easy to administer. Both contain a unique BluShadow diluent that clearly indicates which animals have been vaccinated, Merck said.

Both vaccines are proven safe for use in pregnant cows and in calves nursing pregnant cows, as well as young calves. Nasalgen 3 is available in 2-mL, 20-mL and 100-mL packages; Nasalgen 3-PMH will be available for purchase in early 2021. Consult a veterinarian for specific usage guidance.

To learn more about the newest option in intranasal respiratory vaccines, visit www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/species/cattle.