Vaccination is the most effective method of preventing infectious diseases on pig farms. What good practices can be considered for its correct application?

Impact of pig production worldwide

Pig farms have improved their many processes related to nutrition, genetics, management of environmental conditions, reproduction, on-farm feeding systems, among others.

There has also been great progress in the prevention of infectious diseases on pig farms through modern equipment and vaccination programmes that respond to infectious challenges.

Pork is one of the most widely consumed proteins in the world due to its versatility, palatability, and affordability. As human populations continue to grow on different continents, pig farms have optimized their production processes to ensure food safety.

The world’s largest pork producer is China with fifty-five billion tones, followed by the European Union with 22.85 billion, the United States with 12.471 billion and Brazil with 4.435 billion. China is expected to have 434 million pigs in 2024, followed by the European Union with 133 million and the United States with 75 million.

On the other hand, the largest consumer of pork is Hong Kong with 55 kg/year per capita. This is followed by China, Poland, and Spain.

Vaccine-preventable infectious diseases in pigs

Infectious diseases in pigs can be caused by microorganisms of diverse types. Infectious agents include viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. These infectious diseases can affect the respiratory, reproductive, digestive, and skin systems, among others.

Many of these diseases are highly contagious among pigs and can cause high mortality and morbidity. However, vaccines are available for use in distinct groups in the herd to prevent them and reduce their impact on the pig farm.

Respiratory diseases in pigs

One of the respiratory diseases affecting pigs on the farm is pleuropneumonia due to Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. This bacterium affects young pigs and causes fever, respiratory distress, coughing and, in severe cases, death. In addition, this disease is usually associated with high mortality and respiratory morbidity, which has a significant economic impact on the pig farm. Porcine pleuropneumonia can be prevented by vaccination.

In addition, the pig respiratory system can be affected by a chronic respiratory disease caused by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Although mortality is low, this disease has a significant economic impact due to its chronic nature at all ages. However, it can be prevented by vaccination and improvements in housing conditions.

Reproductive diseases in pigs

In parallel, there is the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) virus, which affects both systems simultaneously in young animals and females. This viral disease can cause abortions, stillbirths, and weak piglets. PRRS is prevented by vaccination and on-farm biosecurity measures.

Another disease of the pig reproductive system that is prevented by vaccination is porcine parvovirus. This viral disease can cause abortions, infertility, or mummified piglets without obvious signs in adults.

Digestive diseases on pig farms

Porcine epidemic diarrhea is a viral disease of pigs that can be prevented by vaccination. The main clinical signs are vomiting, dehydration, severe watery diarrhea, and death in piglets. In addition, this viral disease leads to reduced growth and low feed efficiency on the pig farm.

Types of vaccines used in pig production

Vaccines can be designed in a variety of ways to induce an immune response against infectious agents. They usually use particles, segments or whole microorganisms that have been modified for safe administration.

• Live attenuated vaccines: use a small amount of the attenuated pathogen to induce an effective immune response, but not the development of disease in animals.
• Inactivated vaccines: use an inactivated form of the pathogen to induce an immune response. Regular boosters are therefore required.
• Subunit vaccines: use specific particles of the pathogen to induce the immune response without the risk of disease development.
• Toxoids: use modified toxins to induce the immune response, usually to prevent diseases caused by bacteria that release these toxins.

Innovative vaccination equipment for pig farms

The considerable number of pigs on mechanized farms has favored the development of efficient technologies for vaccinating pigs. On the other hand, modern vaccination systems respect animal welfare while optimizing the correct immunization against infectious diseases.

Valery Technologies has developed a range of equipment for pig vaccination. Valery Technologies has developed a range of air syringes of different calibres that enable safe, fast, and efficient vaccination on the pig farm.

Valery Technologies’ 2mL Soft Trigger syringe uses constant air pressure to deliver the exact amount of vaccine for each application. This technology also reduces pain and fatigue in the hands of the pig farmer.

One of the key features of vaccination syringes for pig farms is their light weight. For this reason, Valery Technologies has developed equipment that weighs less than 500 grams and is ergonomic and intuitive to use.

In addition, the materials used in Valery Technologies vaccination syringes are of high quality, guaranteeing durability and long life.

Pigs are known to be sensitive to stress. Vaccination can be a stressful process for animals and its effects should be minimized. Valery Technologies has developed the first needle-free syringe with a soft trigger for painless, fast, and efficient vaccination.

Valery Technologies’ Soft Trigger intradermal syringe delivers 0.1ml directly into the animal’s dermis to minimize stress in pigs. In addition, this syringe uses the air pressure system to deliver the same amount of vaccine at each application. The high-quality materials of this syringe mean that maintenance is minimal, and its ergonomics make it easy to use for extended periods of time.

One of the most used vaccination techniques in pig farming is mass intramuscular injection. Valery Technologies has developed the high quality pneumatic four-needle EDO syringe, which allows precise, fast, and efficient vaccination. This syringe also features high quality materials, an ergonomic design, and an air pressure system for precise application.

The needles of the Valery Technologies Edo syringe allow the simultaneous application of four vaccines in accordance with animal welfare standards.

Good practices for vaccination on pig farms

Vaccination can prevent infectious diseases in pigs. However, vaccination alone is not effective unless it is complemented by other management, welfare, and biosecurity strategies.

1. Establish vaccination protocols that reduce the time and stress required by the animals.
2. Implement strategies to ensure hygiene throughout the process and correct application at the appropriate anatomical sites.
3. Use sophisticated equipment that guarantees the same dose of vaccine at each application for all animals on the farm.
4. Proper disinfection of equipment and disposal of contaminated materials during the vaccination process.
5. Adapt a vaccination schedule to the conditions of the pig farm to ensure immunity against infectious agents in the region.
6. Design a vaccination programme that responds to the infectious challenges of the different age groups of pigs.
7. Observe the animals after vaccination to detect possible adverse reactions and take the necessary measures for the benefit of the pig farm.

You can also be interested in: Vaccination instruments: significance and innovations

Conclusions

The pig industry is one of the most important sources of animal protein for mankind today. To meet the growing demand, production systems have had to become more mechanized, and processes have had to be optimized. At the same time, improvements have had to be made in the management and prevention of infectious diseases affecting pig farms worldwide.

Vaccination is the best preventive strategy against infectious agents affecting the respiratory, reproductive, or digestive systems of pigs. This process must be conducted by selecting the right type of vaccine for each disease and the equipment required for its application.

Valery Technologies has been recognized for its innovation in the field of pig vaccination. The development of air-assisted syringes ensures accurate doses are delivered to pigs while reducing stress and maximizing vaccination safety and efficacy.

In addition to the type of vaccine and equipment used, other factors that influence or enhance the pigs’ immune response to the vaccine must be considered. Therefore, good vaccination practices and on-farm immunity enhancement strategies must be implemented.