Covexin10 vaccine wins approval

THE first vaccine on the Irish market to protect cattle and sheep from 10 strains of lethal clostridial bacteria, Covexin10, produced by Schering Plough Animal Health, has been approved by the Irish Medicines Board

Examples of these diseases in cattle are blackleg, red water and malignant edema. Braxy, pulpy kidney and tetanus are among the most common killers in sheep. They usually result in death, with few symptoms or warning signs.

Fergal Morris, veterinary adviser, Schering Plough Animal Health, said the new vaccine was developed to combat two new strains of clostridial bacteria identified in recent years.