WNV Vaccine Research

Horse owners and veterinarians alike have wondered if they can use Merial Limited’s Recombitek equine West Nile virus (WNV) vaccine in horses previously vaccinated with Fort Dodge’s West Nile-Innovator. Recently, Merial released the results of a study investigating this issue.

In the study, 27 horses were vaccinated in spring of 2003 with a two-dose initial series of Innovator per label

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Horse owners and veterinarians alike have wondered if they can use Merial Limited’s Recombitek equine West Nile virus (WNV) vaccine in horses previously vaccinated with Fort Dodge’s West Nile-Innovator. Recently, Merial released the results of a study investigating this issue.

In the study, 27 horses were vaccinated in spring of 2003 with a two-dose initial series of Innovator per label recommendation. After 18-25 weeks, they received a single follow-up vaccination–either Recombitek (14 horses) or Innovator (13). Laboratory technicians tested blood samples for neutralizing antibody levels and were blinded as to which horses received what product.

Horses in both groups had an anamnestic (immunologic memory) response that substantially increased antibody titers by seven days after the follow-up vaccination. Both groups also had significant increases in titer 14 days after the follow-up shot; however, horses in the Recombitek group had a significantly greater increase in antibody titer (6.2-fold) than those which received Innovator (4.8-fold).

“This study validates that Recombitek Equine WNV vaccine effectively produces an anamnestic response in horses that have been previously vaccinated with the Fort Dodge Animal Health West Nile-Innovator,” said Stephanie Thompson, DVM, of Merial Veterinary Services

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