DIRECTORATE: VETERINARY SERVICES
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
Brucellosis
Vaccination
SOP - Brucellosis Vaccination
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL
DEVELOPMENT
DIRECTORATE VETERINARY SERVICES
PROCEDURES MANUAL: BRUCELLOSIS VACCINATION
DOCUMENT NO:
CA Vac 01
COMPILED BY:
ISSUE NO:
01 Jan 14
APPROVED BY:
EFFECTIVE DATE:
1st March 2014
NO OF PAGES:
Dr D Mpofu, Dr J Mpofu
and Ms K Ngoetjane, Dr TC
Katsande
Technical
Manager
–
Animal Health
7
A. PURPOSE:
The purpose of this document is to describe the steps to be followed in the vaccination of
cattle against Brucellosis. Vaccination helps to create a population of immune cattle and
therefore prevents disease outbreaks and ensures compliance with the Animal Diseases Act
of 1984 (No 35 of 1984).
B. SCOPE:
Only female cattle may be vaccinated against brucellosis as part of animal disease control
in Gauteng Province.
C. QUALIFICATIONS, ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:
State Veterinarians and Animal Health Technicians registered with the South African
Veterinary Council (SAVC) will vaccinate cattle against brucellosis. Animal Health
Technicians must have attended and passed the TB/CA course.
D. EQUIPMENT:
Equipment
Protective clothing – overalls, safety boots and latex
gloves
Animal handling equipment – neck clamp, cattle race,
rope
Vaccination equipment
Cooler boxes with ice packs
18G single use (disposable) needles
5ml disposable syringes
Sharps Disposal Container
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RB51 Vaccine (check expiry date)
S19 Vaccine (check expiry date)
Kenmark Eartag Applicator
Kenmark Eartags (S19 tags)
Pen
Brucellosis vaccination record form
E. PROCEDURES:
In all cases, read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the package insert of the
vaccine. Ensure that the vaccine is not expired by carefully checking for the expiry date
on the vaccine vial.
1. Keep the vaccine in a cooler box with ice under a shade at all times.
2. In all cases, ensure that the animal is effectively restrained to avoid injury to either
animal or the vaccinator.
3. Caution: Both RB51 and S19 Brucellosis vaccines are live vaccines and can cause
infection when accidental self-injection happens or when human mucus membranes
are exposed to the vaccines. Avoid eating and or smoking when working with these
vaccines. Pay attention to what you are doing to avoid self-injection.
4. In case of accidental self-injection with S19 – treat with Doxycycline and Rifampin
under medical doctor’s instructions. With RB51 self-injection, do not use Rifampin but
treat with Doxycycline and Streptomycin or Gentamycin (except in pregnancy) or
sulphatrim under medical doctor’s instructions.
5. Use of RB51.
a. Farmer to sign indemnity form after explanation from the official regarding
possible abortions in pregnant cattle.
b. RB51 vaccine can be used in all female cattle from 3 months of age
upwards.
c. Vaccine comes in 5 and 25 dose freeze dried (pellet) vials – Once hydrated, the
vaccine must be used within 12 hours – use the correct vial for the number of
cattle to avoid wastage.
d. Hydrate the pellet with the supplied diluent (do not use ordinary water), shake
well and keep on ice until ready to use.
e. Draw vaccine into syringe with sterile dedicated 18G needle.
f. Use one needle per animal. Syringes can be re-used.
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g. Inject 2ml subcutaneously (under the skin preferably on the loose skin of the
neck).
h. Record the identity of all cattle vaccinated on the Brucellosis Vaccination
Record Form.
6. Use of S19
a. Only heifers between 4 and 8 months of age are to be vaccinated.
b. Vaccine comes in 2 and 20 dose freeze dried (pellet) vials – use the correct vial
for the number of cattle to avoid wastage.
c. Hydrate the pellet with supplied diluent (do not use ordinary water), shake well
and keep on ice until ready to use.
d. Use one needle per animal, but syringes can be re-used.
e. The needles and syringes used for any S19 vaccination procedure should not
be re-used for any other procedure as traces of the vaccine will always remain
and can result in persistent S19 vaccine reactions making it difficult to
differentiate from wild strain infection.
f. Inject 5ml subcutaneously (under the skin preferably on the loose skin of the
neck).
g. Apply the Kenmark S19 ear tag on the ear designated by the owner.
h. Record the identity of all cattle vaccinated on the Brucellosis Vaccination
Record Form.
F. FEEDBACK PROCEDURES:
H.

Feedback is given on Daily activity reports,

Vaccination Record and monthly reports on vaccination figures.

Eartags on S19 vaccinated heifers as proof of vaccination.
DOCUMENTS TO BE USED:

Indemnity Form

Vaccine Package Insert

Vaccination Record Form

Daily activity reports
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
I.
Monthly Reports
RECORDS AND DOCUMENT ROUTES:

Vaccination Record to State veterinarian (SV)

Daily activity reports of officials to SV

Monthly, quarterly and annual reports by State Veterinarian and reports to the CA
Champion.

J.
CA Champion reports to project manager
DISTRIBUTION LIST:

Official

State Veterinarian

Brucellosis Champion

DD Animal Health Advisory and Support Services

Director Animal Health Advisory and Support Services.
End
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Annexure 1
1 Recommended Routine Brucellosis Vaccination Protocol (in the absence of an
outbreak)
1.1
S19 is a once off vaccination in heifers between 4 and 8 months of age.
1.2
RB51 vaccine can be used in both cows and heifers above 3 months old.

The first vaccination is administered to the cow or heifer (day 0).

This is followed by the second vaccination (booster) 6 weeks later.

A third vaccination must be done a year later, and then yearly boosters in
infected herds thereafter.

Ensure that heifers, are vaccinated least 2 months before breeding.

Pregnant cows in the absence of an outbreak must be vaccinated 5 to 6
weeks after calving.
Never vaccinate pregnant animals in a negative herd with RB51 vaccine. Caution:
The vaccine can cause up to 30% abortion as well as foetal resorption in pregnant
naïve (susceptible) cattle i.e cattle not previously exposed to vaccine and natural
disease.
2 Recommended Vaccination Protocol – In Case of Brucellosis Outbreak
2.1
Infected Herd with many abortions due to Brucellosis:
2.1.1 1st Step to Stop abortions:

Warn farmer that vaccine can cause abortions (0.2 – 2%).

Vaccinate all female cattle on farm > 8 months of age with RB51 –
repeat after 4 – 6 weeks.

Vaccinate all female cattle again with RB51 at least 35 days after
calving.
2.1.2 Young Animals:
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
Vaccinate heifers 4 – 5 months with S19 (or RB51).

Vaccinate with RB51 at 8 – 9 months of age (not at weaning as
weaning stress will reduce immune response).

Vaccinate heifers 2 – 3 months before mating, with RB51.

Vaccinate all female cattle with RB51 after calving for the next 2 – 3
years.
2.2
Heifers in areas with high Brucellosis prevalence:

Vaccinate heifers 4 – 5 months with S19 (or RB51)

Vaccinate with RB51 at 8 – 9 months of age (not at weaning as
weaning stress will reduce immunity).

2.3
Vaccinate heifers 2 – 3 months before mating with RB51.
Re – vaccination must not be done with S19 as it is a single vaccination shot
for life.
2.4
Effective control of CA will not be possible without the strict application of the
above.
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