A L A B A M A A & M A N D A U B U R N U N I V E R S I T I E S

Vaccinations for
ANR-902 the Swine Herd
S wine producers should vaccinate their pigs to prevent Work closely with your veterinarian to custom design a
or decrease economic loss from important infectious dis- vaccination program to best fit your herd’s needs.
eases. Infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms The vaccinations in Table 1 are recommended for
such as bacteria or viruses. Vaccines contain “safe”

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most herds. These diseases are of high enough risk to
microorganisms which are injected into a pig to prepare justify vaccination at the indicated stages of production.
its immune system to resist disease. The safe microor- In order to maintain an adequate level of protection in
ganisms in vaccines are either killed or modified-live. the herd, booster vaccinations may have to be given.
This means that they will activate the immune system Exact recommendations on when to vaccinate will vary

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but not cause the disease. depending on the brand of vaccine used. Read and
Antibiotics, such as penicillin or tetracycline, are not follow vaccine labels carefully!
vaccines. Vaccines are given to prevent a disease before
it occurs. Antibiotics are given to treat a disease which Table 1. Routinely Recommended Vaccinations.
has already occurred.
Production When To
Disease*
When To Vaccinate Stage Vaccinate
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Pigs should be vaccinated for a disease before they Gilts prebreed Leptospirosis Twice before
will encounter the microorganisms causing it. It takes Parvovirus breeding
from 10 to 21 days after vaccination for the pig to Erysipelas
mount a protective immune response. The exact length
Sows prebreed Leptospirosis Before breeding
of time depends on the pig’s age, the vaccine itself,
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Parvovirus (at weaning)
and whether the pig has been vaccinated before. Erysipelas
For example, leptospirosis (lepto) is a disease which
can cause abortion. Sows and gilts should be vaccinat- Boars Leptospirosis Twice a year
Parvovirus
ed against Leptospira bacteria before breeding. Many Erysipelas
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lepto vaccines call for gilts to be vaccinated twice before

breeding, while sows should receive a single booster Gilts prefarrow E. coli Twice before
vaccination at every weaning. Atrophic rhinitis farrowing
For some piglet diseases, such as scours caused Sows prefarrow E. coli Before farrowing
by E. coli bacteria, often the best strategy is to vaccinate Atrophic rhinitis
the sow before farrowing. The vaccination increases Baby pigs Atrophic rhinitis Once or twice
the concentration of antibodies in the sow’s colostrum, before weaning
or first milk produced after farrowing. These antibodies
are absorbed into the piglets’ bodies, providing tempo- Grower Erysipelas When purchased
rary protection until their immune systems are able to (40-100#) as feeder pigs
provide their own. They also provide local protection *See Diseases And Microorganisms on page 3 for a short
against intestinal disease by bathing the piglets’ gut in description.
antibody-rich milk throughout lactation.
Which Vaccinations Are Necessary Several other vaccinations could be recommended
Vaccinating for every possible disease is not cost ef- by your veterinarian if the disease has been diagnosed in
fective. Vaccinate to prevent diseases which have a the herd and if an effective vaccine is available. The cost
high risk of occurring, not diseases with a low risk. of the vaccine and the labor to administer it should be

ANR-902
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weighed against the expected benefit. Such diseases Other Tips For A Successful
might include: Vaccination Program
• Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. Practice good pig management. Vaccinations are
• Clostridium perfringens. not a substitute for good pig management. If a pig’s im-
• Encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus. mune system is weakened by a stressful environment or
inadequate nutrition, an overwhelming disease chal-
• Haemophilus parasuis.
lenge can cause disease even in a vaccinated pig. In
• Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. many cases, diseases can be better controlled by good
• Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome sanitation and management than by vaccination alone.
(PRRS). Good management includes a biosecurity plan to
• Pseudorabies. keep the farm isolated from the introduction of new
• Rotavirus diarrhea. diseases. Good management also includes the use of all-
• Salmonella. in–all-out pig flow, so that pigs of different ages do
not commingle and trade diseases. For further infor-
• Streptococcus suis.
mation, see your county Extension agent for a copy of
• Swine dysentery (bloody scours).

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Extension Circular ANR-847, “Scheduling All-In–All-
• Swine influenza virus. Out Swine Production.”
• Transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE). Follow label directions. Store and handle vaccines
See Diseases And Microorganisms on page 3 for according to label directions. Keep them refrigerated or
a short description. cooled, as required, and out of sunlight. Improper stor-

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In a few cases, your veterinarian might recommend age can make a vaccine ineffective.
that an “autogenous” vaccine be custom-made from a Read the label to see what diseases and microor-
microorganism isolated from diseased pigs on your ganisms the vaccine is designed to protect against.
farm. Such vaccines should be prepared by an approved Looking only at the trade name of a vaccine can cause
company. Your veterinarian will only recommend such errors. Some producers may over-vaccinate for one
a step if control of certain diseases on your farm has not disease or fail to vaccinate for another.
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been accomplished by other measures or if a commer- Review your farm vaccination program. Use
cial vaccine has not been effective. Table 2 to outline the vaccinations you are currently

Table 2. Farm Vaccination Review. Date completed _______________________

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Production Product Name/ Route Of Dosage When Person Preslaughter
Stage Vaccine Administration Administered Responsible Withdrawal
Components (days)
Gilts
prebreed
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Sows
prebreed
Boars

Gilts
prefarrow
Sows
prefarrow
Baby
pigs
Pigs at
weaning
Grower
(40-100#)
Finisher
(100#-market)
Source: Pork Quality Assurance Guide, Level III (1994), used with permission from the National Pork Producers Council.

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using in your herd. At each production phase list the • Consult with your veterinarian about potential
vaccine product name, the route of administration, the adverse drug and vaccine reactions.
dosage, when it is given, the person responsible for See Table 3 for information on types of injections
giving it, and the preslaughter withdrawal time. Use and specific placement and injection techniques.
this form to go over your vaccination schedule with Use proper needle sizes. Needles come in varying
your veterinarian. A good rule of thumb is to reevaluate gauges and lengths (Figure 3). Select the needle size by
the vaccination program at least once a year. The determining the injection technique and the produc-
National Pork Producers Council sponsors a Pork tion stage. See Tables 4 and 5.
Quality Assurance (PQA) program, which includes this
farm vaccination review. All swine producers are urged To avoid bent or broken needles:
to enroll in the PQA program. Contact your veterinari- • Ensure proper restraint of the animal prior to in-
an or county Extension agent for details. jection.
Use correct injection techniques. To ensure pro- • Replace bent needles; they are prone to breaking.
tection against disease, vaccines must be administered • Replace needles after injecting 20 pigs.
properly. Follow these techniques:
Diseases And Microorganisms
• Ensure proper restraint of the animal prior to in-

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jection. Routinely vaccinate for:
• Ensure proper syringe adjustment. Atrophic rhinitis (Pasteurella multocida type A and
toxigenic type D and Bordetella bronchiseptica):
• Ensure proper needle placement onto the syringe. Infection with these organisms may cause deviation of
• Avoid swelling and developing abscesses at the in-

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the snout and increased respiratory disease on some
jection site. farms. Vaccinate females before farrowing so they will
– Use properly cleaned needles. pass on protection to their piglets in the colostrum (first
– Inject only into clean and dry areas. milk after farrowing). Vaccinate pigs before weaning,
– Prevent contamination. Don’t use the same needle usually twice.
to inject pigs and remove product from multi-dose E. coli: Infection of baby pigs with types of this
vials. bacteria from fecal contamination of the environment
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Table 3. Injection Types And Placement.
Type Of Injection Placement Placement Tips
Subcutaneous (SQ) Under the skin • Inject only into clean, dry areas.
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• Use the loose flaps of skin in the flank and elbow of small
pigs (Figure 1).
• Use the loose skin behind the ear of sows.
• Slide needle under the skin away from the site of skin
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puncture before depositing the compound.

Intramuscular (IM) Into the muscle • Use a spot on the neck just behind and below the ear
(Figure 2).
• Avoid IM injections to the ham. Damage to the ham can
result in condemnation of the meat cut.
• Use proper needle size to ensure medication is deposited in
the muscle.
Intraperitoneal (IP) In the abdominal cavity • Use only upon veterinary instruction and guidance because
serious injury to abdominal organs can occur.
Intravenous (IV) In the vein • Use only upon veterinary instruction and guidance because
serious injury to the hog can occur.
Intranasal (IN) In the nasal passages • Use a needle to withdraw the product from the bottle;
remove the needle from the syringe, and use the
recommended application tip for administration.
• Keep the pig’s head tilted upward during and immediately
following administration so that the product will reach the
deep nasal passages.
Source: “Injection Reference Chart,” Pork Quality Assurance Program, used with permission from the National Pork Producers Council.

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can cause severe scours. Vaccinate pregnant females and L. hardjo. Most commercial vaccines protect against
before farrowing. these serovars. Vaccinate boars twice a year. Another
Erysipelas (Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae): Infection serovar, L. bratislava, has been implicated in some
with this bacterium can spread throughout the body of herds, but routine vaccination for it is not recommend-
growing pigs. It can cause death or can localize in the ed unless suggested by your veterinarian.
joints, causing chronic arthritis or heart infections. With Parvovirus: This virus can cause reproductive fail-
the “diamond skin disease” form of infection, the skin ure through embryonic and fetal death and fetal mum-
may become discolored and parts may slough off. If pigs mification. Protect pregnant females by vaccinating be-
survive, their growth rates may be retarded. Vaccinate fore breeding.
pregnant females before breeding, and if purchasing Vaccinate for the following diseases only if they
feeder pigs of unknown background, vaccinate them have been diagnosed and if the vaccine is felt to be
upon arrival. cost-effective:
Leptospirosis: Infection of susceptible pregnant fe- Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (previously
males with the Leptospira bacterium may result in known as Haemophilus pleuropneumonia): This bac-
abortion. Protect females by vaccinating gilts before terium causes pneumonia which can either result in
first breeding and sows at each subsequent weaning

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sudden death in grow-finish hogs or in slow growth
for these five “serovars” of leptospirosis: L. pomona, L. and extended days to market.
grippotyphosa, L. canicola, L. icterohaemorrhagiae,

Table 4. Needle Sizes For Intramuscular Injections.

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Production Stage Gauge Length
Baby pigs 18 or 20 ⁄ in. or 1⁄2 in.
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Nursery 16 or 18 3⁄4 in. or 5⁄8 in.

Finisher 16 1 in.
Breeding stock* 14 or 16 1 in. or 11⁄2 in.
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*Needle size depends on backfat depth and method of re-
straint.
Source: “Injection Reference Chart,” Pork Quality Assurance
Program, used with permission from the National Pork Producers
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Council.
Figure 2. Location of preferred sites for IM injections.
Source: “Injection Reference Chart,” Pork Quality Assurance
Program, used with permission from the National Pork Producers
Council.
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Table 5. Needle Lengths For

Subcutaneous Injections.
Production Stage Length
Nursery ⁄ in.
12

Finisher ⁄ in.
34

Sows 1 in.
Source: “Injection Reference Chart,”
Pork Quality Assurance Program,
used with permission from the
National Pork Producers Council.

20 x 1⁄2" 18 x 5⁄8" 16 x 3⁄4" 16 x 1" 16 x 11⁄2" 14 x 1" 14 x 11⁄2"

Figure 1. Location of pre-
ferred sites for SQ injections. Figure 3. Needle sizes, actual size.
Source: “Injection Reference Chart,” Pork Quality Assurance Source: “Injection Reference Chart,” Pork Quality Assurance
Program, used with permission from the National Pork Producers Program, used with permission from the National Pork Producers
Council. Council.

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 Clostridium perfringens: This bacterium can in- creased abortions, mummies, and stillbirths. Since
fect nursing piglets, resulting in either sudden death swine pseudorabies is a disease the government is at-
or a chronic diarrhea. tempting to eradicate, vaccination must be approved
Encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus: This virus by state and federal regulatory agencies.
may cause heart and brain damage of baby pigs, fetus- Rotavirus diarrhea: Rotavirus can cause diarrhea in
es, or older hogs that have no immunity. nursing and weaned pigs.
Haemophilus parasuis: This bacterium causes Salmonella: Salmonellosis in swine is caused main-
“Glasser’s Disease” in nursery and grow-finish hogs. ly by two organisms: S. choleraesuis and S. typhimuri-
These pigs can have infection in several organ sys- um. These bacteria can cause severe sickness in the
tems, such as heart, lungs, joints, or brain. form of bloody diarrhea, pneumonia, or widely spread
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae: This microorganism infections throughout the entire body.
is neither a bacterium nor a virus. It can cause “en- Streptococcus suis: This bacterium commonly caus-
zootic pneumonia” in grow-finish hogs, resulting in es nervous system disease (depression, tremors, and
coughing and possibly poorer growth and feed con- convulsions) in nursery and grower pigs. It may cause
version. Some infected pigs may progress to a more se- chronic arthritis, heart infection, stunting, and poor

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rious pneumonia caused by infection from other mi- growth.
croorganisms, such as Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae.
Swine dysentery (bloody scours): Bloody scours of
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome grow-finish pigs are caused by the spirochete organism
(PRRS): This was first known as the “Mystery Swine Serpulina hyodysenteriae.
Disease.” Late term abortions, weak piglets, pneumonia

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in nursery pigs, and poor resistance to other infectious Swine influenza virus: This virus causes a sudden
diseases are some of the many herd problems associat- onset of coughing, which rapidly spreads through the
ed with this virus. herd and runs its course in 3 to 7 days. Some death loss
and stunting may occur.
Pseudorabies: This virus infects the nervous system
of pigs. When the virus first occurs on a farm, the death Transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE): The TGE virus
rate in young pigs can be high, although few adults causes diarrhea and vomiting in pigs of all ages. Death
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die. Reproduction is significantly affected, with in- loss is severe in nursing pigs, while older pigs may
survive.
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This publication was prepared by James G. Floyd, Jr., Extension Veterinarian,

Associate Professor, Animal and Dairy Science, Auburn University.

For more information, call your county Extension office. Look in your tele-
phone directory under your county’s name to find the number.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June
30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama
Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs,
materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion,
ANR-902 sex, age, veteran status, or disability. UPS, 3M13, Rep. 7:96, ANR-902