Zoetis announced that its Fostera PCV MH — the porcine circovirus and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyo) combination vaccine — now has the longest demonstrated duration of immunity (DOI) to help protect pigs from porcine circovirus-associated disease (PCVAD) caused by PCV Type 2 (PCV2). The U.S. Department of Agriculture has granted the combination vaccine the extended label claim of at least 23 weeks of protection against PCV2.

"PCVAD continues to be one of the most economically harmful swine diseases. Affected pigs suffer from progressive weight loss, increased mortality and other clinical impacts, which takes a toll on producers' productivity and profitability," said Dr. Darrell Neuberger with Zoetis Pork Technical Services. "Now, with a vaccine that offers at least 23 weeks of immunity, producers have another tool to help their pigs realize the full market potential with convenience and flexibility."

Introduced in November 2013, Fostera PCV MH was developed to help protect pigs from PCVAD and enzootic pneumonia caused by M. hyo. In clinical research studies of the flexible one- and two-dose protocols, Fostera PCV MH has been demonstrated to aid in preventing viremia, lymphoid depletion and colonization of lymphoid tissue caused by PCV2, and as an aid in reducing PCV2 virus shedding and enzootic pneumonia caused by M. hyo, Zoetis said.