Summary for the public
What is Zulvac 8 Bovis?Zulvac 8 Bovis is a vaccine. It is a suspension for injection that contains inactivated (killed) bluetongue serotype 8 virus.
What is Zulvac 8 Bovis used for?Zulvac 8 Bovis is used in cattle to protect them against bluetongue disease. Bluetongue disease is an infection that is transmitted by midges and caused by the bluetongue virus (serotype 8). The vaccine is used to prevent viraemia (the presence of the virus in the blood).
The vaccine is given to animals as an injection in the muscle. Two injections are necessary to vaccinate; the first injection is given from three months of age and the second injection three weeks later.
The vaccine will only be used as part of an approved national disease control programme. This is because control of bluetongue is the responsibility of national veterinary authorities in consultation with the European Commission.
How does Zulvac 8 Bovis work?Zulvac 8 Bovis is a vaccine. Vaccines work by ‘teaching’ the immune system (the body’s natural defences) how to defend itself against a disease. Zulvac 8 Bovis contains a bluetongue virus that has been inactivated so that it cannot cause the disease. When it is given to cattle, the animals’ immune system recognises the virus as ‘foreign’ and makes antibodies against it. In the future, if the animals are exposed to the bluetongue virus the immune system will be able to produce antibodies more quickly. This will help them to protect against the disease.
Zulvac 8 Bovis contains bluetongue virus of one type (‘serotype 8’). The vaccine also contains ‘adjuvants’ (aluminium hydroxide and saponin) to enhance the immune response.
How has Zulvac 8 Bovis been studied?The safety of the vaccine was studied in laboratory safety studies carried out with Zulvac 8 Bovis in cattle. Results from a series of laboratory safety trials performed with a vaccine of similar composition containing serotypes 1 and 8 and of studies performed with a vaccine of the same composition but of different serotype, used in sheep were presented in order to extrapolate safety conclusions, as the vaccine is intended for use in an emergency situation.
The efficacy of the vaccine in cattle was studied in a laboratory trial using the vaccine in calves from two and a half months of age. Another laboratory study looked at the duration of the immunity following vaccination with Zulvac 8 Bovis. The vaccine was assessed in the context of an emergency situation which means that further studies with Zulvac 8 Bovis are still ongoing and will be assessed.
What benefit has Zulvac 8 Bovis shown during the studies?The studies showed that the vaccine is safe for cattle and that it prevents viraemia in animals from three months of age that are infected with bluetongue virus serotype 8.
The safety of the vaccine in pregnant cows is not yet fully established. Supportive evidence for the safe use of the vaccine in pregnant cows was provided by the results obtained in studies performed in pregnant sheep with a vaccine of similar composition containing serotype 4.
What is the risk associated with Zulvac 8 Bovis?After the second injection, animals may show a slight, temporary increase in body temperature of 0.4ºC, in the 24 hours after vaccination.
What is the time to allow before the animal can be slaughtered and the meat used for human consumption (withdrawal period)?The withdrawal period is zero days.
What is the time to allow before milk can be taken from the animal for human consumption?Milk can be taken after zero days.
Why has Zulvac 8 Bovis been approved?The Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP) concluded that the benefits of Zulvac 8 Bovis exceed the risks for active immunisation of cattle to prevent viraemia caused by the bluetongue virus serotype 8, and recommended that Zulvac 8 Bovis should be given a Marketing Authorisation. The benefit-risk balance may be found in module 6 of this EPAR.
Zulvac 8 Bovis has been authorised under ‘Exceptional Circumstances’. This means that it has not been possible to obtain complete information about Zulvac 8 Bovis. Every year, the European Medicines Agency will review additional information that will become available according to an agreed timetable and this summary will be updated as necessary.
What information is still awaited for Zulvac 8 Bovis?The company that makes Zulvac 8 Bovis will submit an action plan together with timelines for all of the issues that need to be resolved before the authorisation can revert to normal status. It will also supply regular updates on the use and the safety of the vaccine.
Other information about Zulvac 8 Bovis:The European Commission granted a marketing authorisation valid throughout the EU for Zulvac 8 Bovis to Fort Dodge Animal Health Ltd on 15 January 2010. Information on the prescription status of this product may be found on the label/outer package.
Authorisation details
Name: Zulvac 8 Bovis |
EMEA Product number: EMEA/V/C/000145 |
Active substance: Inactivated bluetongue virus, serotype 8, strain btv-8/bel2006/02 |
INN or common name: Inactivated blue tongue virus, serotype 8 |
Species: Cattle |
ATCvet Code: QI02AA08 |
Exceptional Circumstances: There were "exceptional circumstances" concerning the approval of this medicine. This happens when the applicant can show that they are unable to provide comprehensive data on the efficacy and safety of the medicine for which authorisation is being sought, due to the rarity of the condition it is intended for, limited scientific knowledge in the area concerned, or ethical considerations involved in the collection of such data. |
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Marketing Authorisation Holder: Pfizer Limited
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Revision: 2 |
Date of issue of Market Authorisation valid throughout the European Union: 15/01/2010 |
Contact address: Pfizer Limited
Ramsgate Road
Sandwich
Kent
CT13 9NJ
United Kingdom
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