Summary for the public
What is Zulvac 8 Ovis?Zulvac 8 Ovis is a vaccine. It is a suspension for injection that contains inactivated (killed) bluetongue serotype 8 virus.
What is Zulvac 8 Ovis used for?Zulvac 8 Ovis is used in sheep 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 viruses in the blood).
The vaccine is given to animals as an injection under the skin. Two injections are necessary to vaccinate; the first injection is given from one and a half 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 Ovis work?Zulvac 8 Ovis is a vaccine. Vaccines work by ‘teaching’ the immune system (the body’s natural defences) how to defend itself against a disease. Zulvac 8 Ovis contains bluetongue virus that has been inactivated so that it cannot cause the disease. When it is given to sheep, the animals’ immune system recognises the viruses as ‘foreign’ and makes antibodies against the virus. In the future, if the sheep 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 Ovis 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 Ovis been studied?The safety of the vaccine was studied in laboratory safety studies carried out with Zulvac 8 Ovis in sheep. Results from a series of laboratory safety trials performed with vaccines of similar composition but of different bluetongue serotypes were also presented in order to extrapolate safety conclusions, as the vaccine is intended for use in an emergency situation.
The efficacy of the vaccine in sheep was studied in a laboratory trial using the vaccine in sheep from one month of age. The company also presented results from a series of studies with other vaccines that contain other serotypes of the bluetongue virus, as well as preliminary results from a study in sheep investigating the duration of the vaccine’s immunity after vaccination. The vaccine was assessed in the context of an emergency situation which means that further studies with Zulvac 8 Ovis are still ongoing and will be assessed.
What benefit has Zulvac 8 Ovis shown during the studies?The studies showed that the vaccine is safe for sheep and that it prevents the viraemia in animals from one and a half months of age that are infected with bluetongue virus serotype 8. The studies also showed that the vaccine can be used in pregnant sheep.
What is the risk associated with Zulvac 8 Ovis?Sheep may show a temporary increase in body temperature, no more than 1.2°C, in the 24 hours after vaccination. They may also be a local reaction at the injection site, such as swelling, generally lasting less than a week) or ‘nodules’ (hardening under the skin) that may last for more than 6 or 7 weeks.
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 Ovis been approved?The Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP) concluded that the benefits of Zulvac 8 Ovis exceed the risks for active immunisation of sheep to prevent viraemia caused by the bluetongue virus serotype 8, and recommended that Zulvac 8 Ovis should be given a Marketing Authorisation. The benefit-risk balance may be found in module 6 of this EPAR.
Zulvac 8 Ovis has been authorised under ‘Exceptional Circumstances’. This means that it has not been possible to obtain complete information about Zulvac 8 Ovis. 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 Ovis?The company that makes Zulvac 8 Ovis 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 OvisThe European Commission granted a marketing authorisation valid throughout the EU for Zulvac 8 Ovis 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 Ovis |
EMEA Product number: EMEA/V/C/000147 |
Active substance: Inactivated bluetongue virus, serotype 8, strain btv-8/bel2006/02 |
INN or common name: Inactivated bluetongue virus, serotype 8 |
Species: Sheep |
ATCvet Code: QI04AA02 |
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 |
Revision: 3 |
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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