Vaccine Handling

Proper handling of vaccines will help ensure that products remain effective, potent and safe. For best results, follow these guidelines.

• Use only approved products. Novartis Animal Health products – both custom and commercial – are manufactured in USDA-approved facilities to high standards of safety and potency. They are backed by Novartis’ technical support and customer service.
• Follow product directions. These include:
  • Dose size
  • Route of administration (IM, SubQ, Intranasal)
  • Number of doses and interval between doses
  • Rehydration directions, if needed
  • Storage (i.e. refrigeration)
  • Age and type of animal for which product is approved
  • Warnings, indications, withdrawal times
  • Proper disposal
• Do not use outdated products.
• Do not combine vaccines; combining products could diminish or destroy their effectiveness.
• Good sanitation practices will help avoid contamination and maintain vaccine effectiveness. These include:
  • Avoid muddy, dirty or wet injection sites
  • Change needles frequently
  • Use clean syringes and needles
  • Don’t go back into the vaccine bottle with a dirty needle