Advantages

• Protects horses against clinical disease caused by infection with Hendra virus
• Reduces the risk of occupational exposure to Hendra virus
• Vaccination of horses is considered key to prevention of viral transmission from the natural viral reservoir species (Pteropid flying foxes) to other susceptible species including humans

Clinical Use

• See product leaflet for full dosing instructions
• All horses must be microchipped prior to administration of the first dose if not already microchipped
• For all horses 4 months of age and older
• Primary immunisation: Two doses 3 to 6 weeks apart
• A 3rd dose 6 months after the second primary dose is required, with further boosters to be administered every 12 months after the 3rd dose
• All doses must be entered into an online registry at here within 2 days of administration
• Foals born to vaccinated mares should commence vaccination at 6 months of age
• Pregnant mares are not to be vaccinated during the first 6 weeks after conception or the 2 weeks prior to the expected foaling date

Human Safety

Additional user safety

Take care to avoid accidental self-injection. Accidental self-administration may result in local bruising, pain and swelling. In the event of self- administration, seek medical attention and show the package leaflet or the label, to the Medical Practitioner.

This material may cause a mild allergic reaction in sensitive individuals on skin contact. Avoid skin contact. If skin or hair contact occurs, remove contaminated clothing and flush skin and hair with running water. If splashed in eyes, wash out immediately with water.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be worn whenever Hendra virus disease is suspected even in vaccinated horses as not all vaccines can provide a guaranteed protection.

First Aid Statement

If poisoning occurs, contact a doctor or Poisons Information Centre. Phone Australia 131126.

Registered label warnings

Withholding Periods

MEAT Withholding Period: Not Applicable

ESI

ESI not applicable

Contraindications

The product should not be used in sick or immunocompromised horses.

Side Effects

Transient swelling may develop at the site of vaccination in some horses but should resolve within one week without treatment.

In some horses transient post vaccination reactions including injection site reaction, pain, increase in body temperature, lethargy, inappetence, and muscle stiffness have also been observed. Additional reported clinical signs have included urticaria, sweating, oedema and colic. Clinical signs may vary in severity and occasionally may require veterinary intervention.

Systemic allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis may require parental treatment with adrenaline, corticosteroid and antihistamine as appropriate and should be followed by appropriate supportive therapy.

Precautions

The effectiveness of Equivac HeV vaccine in the face of Hendra virus disease outbreak has not been studied.

While all horses receiving the recommended vaccine course and booster vaccination at 6 months were antibody positive, the potential for vaccinated horses to shed virus if exposed to and infected with the Hendra virus cannot be ruled out.

It is recommended that good hygiene practices are observed when horses are being handled.

This product has been found to be safe for administration to pregnant mares. However, in pregnant mares it is important to avoid the use of vaccines during critical stages of pregnancy. For this reason avoid vaccinating during the first 45 days after mating and the last 14 days before the expected date of foaling.

The compatibility of Equivac HeV Hendra virus vaccine with other vaccines and veterinary chemical products has not been studied.