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Fostera™ PRRS*, a modified-live vaccine for growing pigs from Pfizer Animal Health, brings a new high standard of innovation to the costly battle against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) respiratory disease.
Demonstrating its commitment to high standards, Pfizer Animal Health's research and development team made a significant breakthrough. They created unique cell lines that were able to express a newly discovered key receptor protein for the PRRS virus (PRRSv). This innovative thinking was pivotal in bringing Fostera PRRS to the pork industry.
"With more than half of weaning-age PRRSv-negative pigs becoming infected before going to market1, this innovative vaccine option helps growing pigs defend themselves against a PRRSv challenge," says Steve Sornsen, DVM, MS, senior director, Veterinary Business Solutions at Pfizer Animal Health.
A challenge study2 demonstrated that Fostera PRRS, which is the first and only PRRSv vaccine to earn the label claim aid in prevention of PRRS respiratory disease, reduced lung lesions by 84 percent and reduced overall respiratory clinical signs by 80 percent. Additionally, results showed vaccination with Fostera PRRS improved average daily gain by 2.5 times compared to pigs in the placebo group.
"Fostera PRRS helps optimize performance by minimizing the adverse affects of a subsequent PRRSv challenge, thereby allowing growing pigs to maximize their post-challenge weight gain," says Doug King, DVM, senior veterinarian at Pfizer Animal Health.
*Vaccine virus may be shed and transmitted to other populations of swine in direct or indirect contact with vaccinated swine. The duration of potential vaccine virus transmission may vary. Non-vaccinated pigs in contact with Fostera PRRS vaccinated pigs may seroconvert to vaccine virus. Use of the vaccine in herds intended to remain PRRS virus seronegative is contraindicated. Introduction of vaccinated pigs into herds intended to remain PRRS virus seronegative is contraindicated.
1. Holtkamp DJ, Kliebenstein JB, Neumann EJ, Zimmerman JJ, Rotto H, Yoder TK, Wang C, Yeske P, Mowrer C, Haley C. 2011. Assessment of the economic impact of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus on United States pork producers. Prev Vet Med (Submitted 12/20/11).
2. Data on file, Study Report No. 3127R-60-10-890, Pfizer Inc.
February 27, 2012 - Pfizer Animal Health
