Vaccinations are essential for protecting your cattle from disease. A comprehensive cattle vaccine schedule protects the entire herd, reducing the risk of serious illness, reproductive issues, loss of productivity, and premature death. But which vaccinations do your cattle need and when? And what else can you do to prevent problems like neonatal calf diarrhea? Read on to find out…
Cattle vaccines work by introducing a weakened or inactive pathogen (e.g. a bacteria or virus) into the immune system. When specialized immune cells encounter the pathogen for the first time, they develop antibodies, or proteins, that attack and kill it. The next time they encounter the pathogen, they recognize it and can quickly produce those antibodies again. This can prevent the disease from taking hold or reduce the severity of infection.
There are three types of vaccine used for cattle. Modified live vaccines (MLVs) contain a live version of the pathogen, modified so that it can’t cause disease. To make sure the entire herd builds the necessary immunity, several rounds of MLVs are typically given (revaccination).
Killed vaccines contain a dead version of the pathogen. The immune response caused by killed vaccines is not as strong as that of MLVs, so killed vaccines will typically contain an adjuvant to enhance the effect, and “boosters” may be given to reach full immunity. .
Mixed vaccines contain both live and dead pathogens that target various diseases. They will usually require boosters to improve the immune response to the killed portions of the vaccine.
Cattle should be vaccinated against the following diseases:
Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) AKA “red nose” — an upper respiratory virus that can cause breathing difficulties, infertility, abortions, and birth defects.
Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV) — lower respiratory tract infection that can lead to pneumonia.
Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) types I and III. — a virus that can cause immune system suppression, secondary infections, abortions and birth defects.
E. coli — a common bacteria that can cause neonatal calf diarrhea, a potentially fatal illness in newborns.
Rotavirus — a gastrointestinal disease that is also a common cause of neonatal calf diarrhea.
Coronavirus. — a respiratory disease that can also cause gastrointestinal problems in cattle.
Parainfluenza 3 (PI3) — an upper respiratory infection that can lead to secondary infections.
Leptospirosis AKA “lepto” — a bacterial infection that can cause abortions.
Brucellosis AKA “bangs disease” — another bacterial infection that can cause abortions.
Clostridiosis — diseases caused by strains of the Clostridium bacteria, including Clostridium chauvoei (blackleg), Clostridium haemolyticum (redwater), and Clostridium tetani (tetanus).
Bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) AKA “pinkeye” — a very common (and very contagious) infection of the cornea
The optimal cattle vaccination schedule depends on location, age, purpose and reproductive status, and is best planned with the help of a qualified veterinarian.
Neonatal calf diarrhea (calf scours) is a common and potentially very serious disease that causes heavy diarrhea in newborn calves. Diarrhea may be yellow, green or gray in color, and may contain mucus and blood. The calf will become progressively dehydrated and will die if untreated.
Neonatal calf diarrhea is most often caused by infection with E. coli, rotavirus or coronavirus, either alone or in combination. Other risk factors include:
The following preventative strategies can, therefore, reduce the risk of neonatal calf diarrhea:
Diseases that affect reproduction in cattle include IBR, BVD, leptospirosis and brucellosis. In addition to vaccinating the entire herd, you can also practice the following strategies for preventing reproductive diseases and their complications (e.g. abortion):
Clostridial diseases are caused by spores found in food and organic materials in the environment. If ingested by cattle, the spores can lay dormant (inactive) until triggered by some type of change in the animal’s body. For example:
Clostridiosis vaccinations can be administered as combination products that protect against multiple strains, reducing the financial and time costs. Vaccinate the entire herd and practice the following strategies for preventing clostridiosis:
A proactive and comprehensive cattle vaccination schedule remains the most effective way to keep your cattle healthy and productive. The best vaccination plan for your herd will depend on various unique factors, so consult a qualified cattle vet to help you plan a tailored, effective schedule.
The 7 and 1 vaccine for cattle is a combined clostridial vaccine that protects against seven strains of Clostridium bacteria (such as blackleg, redwater, and tetanus) and Leptospira hardjo, a cause of leptospirosis. It is an essential part of any cattle vaccination guide, especially for herds at risk of clostridiosis and reproductive diseases. Including this in your herd’s plan is a key step in how to manage cattle vaccination effectively.
Vaccination for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is typically recommended twice yearly in endemic areas, though local disease pressure and veterinary advice may modify the frequency. Incorporating FMD into your cattle vaccination guide helps control outbreaks that can rapidly spread across herds and cause massive economic losses. Regular updates and reminders are crucial when planning how to manage cattle vaccination schedules.
Yes, in many regions, brucellosis vaccination is legally required, particularly for female calves between 4 to 8 months of age. Since brucellosis causes abortion and infertility, it is a priority in any responsible cattle vaccination guide. Consult local veterinary authorities when mapping out how to manage cattle vaccination compliance and records to meet legal and biosecurity standards.
Some vaccines are safe for pregnant cows, while others are not. For example, killed vaccines are generally safe, but modified live vaccines (MLVs) should often be avoided unless explicitly approved. It’s important to follow a vet-recommended cattle vaccination guide to avoid any risk to the fetus and ensure optimal herd health. Knowing how to manage cattle vaccination means timing vaccines properly according to reproductive status.
If a cow experiences swelling, fever, labored breathing, or collapse after vaccination, seek immediate veterinary attention. Report the reaction and note the vaccine used, including batch number and date. Having a robust cattle vaccination guide includes preparing for such rare but serious reactions. Learning how to manage cattle vaccination also means keeping emergency protocols and supportive treatments on hand.
Skipping essential vaccines puts your herd at high risk for infectious diseases, including respiratory illnesses, reproductive losses, calf diarrhea, and sudden deaths from clostridial infections. Beyond individual health, skipping vaccines can lead to herd-wide outbreaks and serious financial losses. A well-planned cattle vaccination guide and a system for how to manage cattle vaccination proactively reduce these risks and ensure long-term herd productivity.