How to Administer the Classical Swine Fever Vaccine? A Detailed Guide to the Correct Injection Method

Classical swine fever is an acute, febrile, contact-transmissible infectious disease caused by the classical swine fever virus of the genus Pestivirus in the family Flaviviridae. Once pigs are infected, it causes devastating losses to the pig farming industry. To prevent the occurrence of classical swine fever, pigs must be vaccinated. So, how is the classical swine fever vaccine administered?

I. How is the classical swine fever vaccine administered?

To administer the classical swine fever vaccine, you must first prepare the various tools for injecting the vaccine and sterilize the tools. Then clip the hair at the injection site on the pig, disinfect it with iodine tincture, and then inject the vaccine. For every pig injected, the needle must be replaced with one that has been sterilized by boiling; it is strictly forbidden to use “flying needles”.

II. How many types of classical swine fever vaccine are there?

At present, there are three types of classical swine fever vaccine in China, namely classical swine fever live vaccine (I)——rabbit fetus vaccine, classical swine fever live vaccine (II)——cell vaccine, and classical swine fever live vaccine (I)——spleen and lymph node vaccine.

III. When is the classical swine fever vaccine administered?

1. Usage of classical swine fever live vaccine (I)——rabbit fetus vaccine

This vaccine is injected intramuscularly or subcutaneously, and the best time for injection is 2 hours after feeding or before feeding. When using, dilute with sterile normal saline at 1 milliliter per dose according to the number of doses indicated on the bottle label; for both large and small pigs the dose is 1 milliliter. This vaccine must not be injected at the same time as bacterial vaccines. After injection of this vaccine, a small number of pigs may show a reaction within 1 day to 2 days, but they can return to normal after 3 days. If an allergic reaction occurs after vaccination, anti-allergic drugs such as epinephrine should be injected promptly.

2. Usage of classical swine fever live vaccine (II)——cell vaccine

This vaccine can be used for both large and small pigs. According to the number of doses indicated on the label, after diluting each dose with 1 milliliter of sterile normal saline, both large and small pigs are injected subcutaneously or intramuscularly with 1 milliliter. Immunity is produced 4 days after injection, and the immunization period after injection can reach 12 months. Before injection, it should be confirmed that there is indeed no epidemic disease in the local area. Pre-weaning piglets can be vaccinated with 4 doses of the vaccine to prevent interference from maternal antibodies.

3. Usage of classical swine fever live vaccine (I)——spleen and lymph node vaccine

This vaccine is injected intramuscularly or subcutaneously, and the best time for injection is 2 hours after feeding or before feeding. When using, dilute with sterile normal saline at 1 milliliter per dose according to the number of doses indicated on the bottle label; for both large and small pigs the dose is 1 milliliter.