Merck Animal Health Introduces New Vaccine Option for Fight against Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS)

SUMMIT, N.J., September 9, 2014 – Merck Animal Health today announced the introduction of PRIME PAC™ PRRS+, a vaccine for reducing clinical signs of reproductive disease in female breeding-age swine and respiratory disease in pigs 3 to 4 weeks of age and older due to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSv).
PRRS continues to be one of the most costly diseases affecting swine producers today. Combining productivity costs and other animal health-related expenses, losses due to PRRS in the U.S. breeding and growing-pig herd is estimated at $664 million annually.1
“Due to the economic impact and high prevalence of PRRS in the U.S. swine herd, vaccination is crucial,” says Karen Lehe, D.V.M., DACVPM, swine senior account manager, Merck Animal Health. “Vaccination stabilizes the herd’s PRRS immunity and reduces the potential of virus circulation. It also offers producers an option that better meets the needs of their changing production practices – a labeled 2 mL dose for sows, as well as a 1 mL dose for pigs.”
Results of several respiratory and reproductive challenge trials using both heterologous (different structure from vaccine virus) and homologous (same structure as virus used to make vaccine) PRRSv strains demonstrated the safety and efficacy of Prime Pac PRRS+. Trial results also showed that vaccination significantly reduced viremia and the clinical signs of PRRSv, and provided four months duration of immunity; helping the herd remain as productive as possible.
“The vaccine helps mitigate the clinical signs, such as reproductive abnormalities in the breeding herd and high mortality rates in piglets, which take a substantial toll on the health of the herd and an operation’s productivity,” says Dr. Lehe. “Vaccination helps producers protect two significant areas of production, as well as a business’s bottom line.”
PRIME PAC PRRS+ is available in convenient 20 mL and 100 mL packages, as well as a 600-sow/1200-piglet-dose Bulk Pac. To learn more about PRIME PAC PRRS+, visit PrimePacPRRS.com.

About Merck Animal Health

Today’s Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada, is the global animal health business unit of Merck. Through its commitment to the Science of Healthier Animals™, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest range of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter at @MerckAH.

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1 Holtkamp, DJ.; Kliebenstein, JB; Neuman, EJ; et al. Assessment of the economic impact of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus on United States pork producers. Journal of Swine Health and Production, 2013; 21 (2):72-84.