Part 1: Vaccine storage and handling

A common mistake made with vaccines involves improper handling of the vaccines. From the time the products arrive on the farm until they are used, the vaccines must be properly stored, following manufacturer specifications. If not, product quality may be impacted.

Another common mistake is improper administration. “When you’re administering vaccine to a pig, depending on the age, you may not be fully restraining it,” Jansen said. “We have to give all of the pigs a dose of vaccine, and it becomes more and more difficult.

“The pigs might be in a large pen where it’s hard to get them in an area where they can be given the vaccine with proper technique,” she added. “If something goes wrong in the process, it looks like our product failed, and that’s often not the case.”

Watch the full interview or each part separately:

Full interview: Five ways to get better returns on your swine-health program

Part 1: Vaccine storage and handling

Part 2: Selecting and training caregivers for effective vaccination

Part 3: Vaccine training more important as pork industry rethinks antibiotics

Part 4: Training benefits antibiotic programs, too

Part 5: Feed medications still play an important role in swine health