[Danny]

I have a bottle of heptivax that I've hardly used. It says throw away after 24hr! Is this true? Has anyone tried using it after the use by date? Thanks

[ewesaidit]

Hi Danny. This has been the subject of controversy with several long threads about it on here! 


My vet told me as long as you draw off with a sterile needle and keep in the fridge it will be fine to use for the second injection four weeks after the first.  I've been vaccinating the lambs this way for 9 years now.


But - others say it is rendered useless 10 hours after opening. 


Let the debate begin ... ?

[harmony]

The manufacturer says to use within 10 hours.


Many people choose to ignore that advice because someone unqualified told them it was fine to do so.  If people inject their ewes before lambing and give at least one dose there presumably is some cover and in small flock possibly it is enough.


Personally, I can't see why people ignore the advice but that is up to you.


The only post I have seen on here, which unfortunately I can't find now, by a person qualified and working in the industry explained that the solution the vaccine is held in deteriorates after 10 hours and the vaccine is no longer viable, that is why the advice is to use within 10 hours of opening.


Some people's vet says it is OK to use after the 10 hours and some people's say not. So, who is right? If I take my animal to the vet and purchase medication I would like to think that they give me something in date and give my animal the best possible chance.

[Badger Nadgers]

I think all vaccines say that.

[twizzel]

Depends if you want to take the risk of losing an animal for the sake of saving £25 on a new bottle. Seems expensive having to buy a 2nd bottle for the 2nd jab but if you reuse the first bottle and take the risk that you might not be vaccinating effectively, then lose a ewe or lamb to one of the diseases the heptavac vaccinates against then the £25 seems a small amount of money compared to replacing a ewe and paying for dead stock removal.

[nimbusllama]

The important thing to realise is that some people do not vaccinate at all and get by quite happily without disease.  Therefore by using the same bottle for the second jab and not getting any diseases is almost the same.  The first jab might give a small amount of immunity (the jury is out on that) but giving an ineffective second jab does not mean that it has worked, merely that you have got by without disease!

[Womble]

Danny, as others have said, this one comes up quite frequently, and can be quite divisive!

The best practical option we've come up with is to find somebody else in the same situation, and then share the doses. Unopened bottles have a long shelf life if kept refrigerated, so it's not too much of a chore.

Maybe try a wanted ad on here if you don't know anybody else locally?

[Rosemary]

Do it right or don't do it at all. That would be my view.