How do I Vaccinate Pigs Against the Flu?

Vaccines are for disease prevention.

According to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), it takes "10 to 21 days after vaccination for the pig to mount a protective immune response." Unlike penicillin and other antibiotics used to treat illness and infection, vaccines are preventative and must be administered before illness occurs.

Because vaccinating a swine herd against every possible disease is cost-prohibitive, some vaccines are administered only when the threat of an illness is deemed imminent. This is the case with swine influenza (also called swine flu).

Instructions

1. Examine the swine herd for signs of swine influenza. Symptoms include respiratory infection and coughing. Symptoms can run their course in three to seven days, but may result in death.

2. Select the appropriate injection type for the pig. The two safest types of injections, resulting in the least potential damage to the swine and the quality of its meat, are subcutaneous (into the skin) and intramuscular (into the muscle).

3. Choose the appropriate needle gauge and length for the injection. The National Pork Producers Council has published an "Injection Reference Chart" to specify which gauges work, depending on the age of the pig and the type of injection.

   For subcutaneous injections, the chart is as follows:

   Nursery pigs, 1/2-inch syringe

   Finisher pigs, 3/4-inch syringe

   Sows, 1-inch syringe

   For intramuscular injections, the chart is as follows:

   Baby pigs, 18 to 20 gauge, 5/8- to 1/2-inch syringe

   Nursery pigs, 16 to 18 gauge, 3/4- to 5/8-inch syringe

   Finisher pigs, 16 gauge, 1-inch syringe

   Breeding stock, 14 to 16 gauge, 1- to 1-and-1/2-inch syringe

4. Secure the pig properly and safely. Use clean, unbent needles. Discard needles after 20 uses.

5. Subcutaneous injection sites are in the loose skin behind the ears or the loose skin in the flank and elbows. The intramuscular injection site is in the neck, just behind and below the pig's ear. Avoid intramuscular injections into the ham.

Tips & Warnings

• Enforce proper sanitation and farming practices to reduce swine sickness. Ensure proper ventilation and hygiene.

• Improper restraint can harm the pig and invalidate the injection.

References

• ACES.edu: Vaccinations for the Swine Herd
• Maryland Department of Agriculture: Swine Influenza Virus (H1N1) Information
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Key Facts About Swine Influenza

Resources

• American Association of Swine Veterinarians: Welcome to the AASV!
• Pork Checkoff: Home
• National Hog Farmer: Hog/Swine/Pig Industry News and Information