There are two vaccination strategies depending on where in lactation animals to be vaccinated are, as well as if you have ever used the product with your herd before.

First Year of Use:

Milking Herd

Establishment and maintenance of herd immunity is the key to success with this vaccine. Herds with known or suspected S. uberis infection should initiate use of the vaccine with whole herd vaccination followed by a rolling vaccination maintenance program. Whole herd vaccination involves vaccination of the entire herd with three doses spaced at monthly intervals and is accomplished in two months’ time.

Dry cows, Incoming Heifers

Dry cows and incoming heifers are managed separately from the rest of the herd. Cows in the dry pen when the rest of the herd is being vaccinated should be vaccinated beginning at three weeks fresh, with three doses of vaccine spaced at monthly intervals. If possible, heifers should be vaccinated at seven and eight months gestation, with a third dose five at three to four weeks fresh. Otherwise, vaccinate heifers on the same protocol as dry cows.

Individual Cow

If a cow shows an elevated somatic cell count on two consecutive tests, or has a single test above 500,000, a booster dose may be given.

Subsequent Years:

Once the entire herd has been vaccinated, a rolling vaccination schedule is used to maintain herd immunity. Rolling herd vaccination times vaccine doses to the lactation cycle, much like a J-5 type vaccine. Vaccinate at dry-off, mid-dry, and at three to four weeks fresh. Alternatively, cows may be vaccinated at dry-off, three to four weeks fresh, and at seven to eight weeks fresh.

If a cow shows an elevated somatic cell count on two consecutive tests, or has a single test above 500,000, a booster dose may be given.

To get your herd vaccinated, contact your local veterinarian and request the Hygieia Streptococcus Uberis Bacterin vaccine for dairy cattle today.

This product is intended for use in dairy cows and heifers 18 months of age or older, as an aid in reducing mastitis due to Streptococcus uberis bacteria. Do not vaccinate within two weeks before or after parturition.

Streptococcus uberis is often resistant to antibiotic treatment and the cost of discarded milk too high to make treatment of the pathogen a practical management approach. While Streptococcus uberis infection typically results in markedly elevated somatic cell counts, no visible changes in the milk or palpable difference in the affected quarter are usually present. To make diagnosis even more challenging, more often than not, streptococcal mastitis can’t be detected by California Mastitis Test (CMT) because of its relatively high limit of detection. If you are a dairy producer who struggles with high somatic cell counts, contact your veterinarian today to discuss the Hygieia Streptococcus Uberis Bacterin vaccine.