POM-VPS Prescription Required

Blackleg Vaccine

Active ingredient: Clostridium chauvoei

Form

Injection

Species

Cattle Sheep

Manufacturer

Zoetis Belgium S.A.

VMD MA No.

60021/3004

What it's used for

Amended pages: December 2025

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

The prescription itself has a price. See what practices near you charge for a consultation and the written prescription fee.

Paying less for Clostridium chauvoei

1

Ask your vet for a written prescription

They must provide one on request. Under the CMA Order the fee is capped at £21 from 2027.
2

Fill it at a registered online retailer

The CMA found online pharmacies 50–60% cheaper than practice dispensing on common medicines — typically £200–£300 a year.

Your prescription rights → VMD register of retailers →

Prescription required

Your vet must provide a written prescription on request. You can then purchase from any licensed online retailer.

Clinical information

Blackleg Vaccine — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 27 Mar 2026.

Amended pages: December 2025

Dose:
Primary vaccination:
Cattle: two doses of 2 ml administered six weeks apart, 2-3 weeks before the expected
period of risk.
Sheep: two doses of 1 ml administered six weeks apart, 2-3 weeks before the expected
period of risk
Revaccination:
Revaccination with a single dose is advised annually before the expected period of risk.
Shake well before use.
Syringes and needles should be sterilised before use and the injection should be made
through an area of clean, dry skin, taking aseptic precautions against contamination.

Not for use in ewes producing milk for human consumption.

Cattle and sheep:
Very common
(>1 animal / 10 animals treated):
Injection site swelling
, injection site
pain
, injection site abscess
Injection site skin discolouration
Injection site reaction NOS
Very rare
(<1 animal / 10,000 animals treated,
including isolated reports):
Hypersensitivity reaction
Amended pages: December 2025
In some cases, up to 14 cm diameter. Most local reactions resolve in less than 10
weeks.
Occurring for 1-2 days post vaccination.
Returns to normal as the local reaction is resolved.
Vaccination may give rise to reactions in the underlying tissues at the injection site.
Appropriate dose of adrenaline and/or antihistamines should be administered without
delay.
Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a
veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to
either the marketing authorisation holder or the national competent authority via the
national reporting system. See the package leaflet for respective contact details.

Vaccinate healthy animals only.

Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
Clinical trials have demonstrated that the presence of maternal antibodies against C.
chauvoei
to ensure an optimal response in young animals with high levels of MDA, the primary
vaccination should be delayed until the levels wane (which is after about 8-12 weeks of
age).
In any animal population, there may be a number of individuals which fail to respond
fully to vaccination. Successful vaccination depends upon the correct storage and
administration of the veterinary medicinal product together with the animal’s ability to
respond. This can be influenced by such factors as genetic constitution, intercurrent
infection, age, the presence of maternally derived antibodies, nutritional status,
concurrent drug therapy and stress.
In the event of an anaphylactic reaction appropriate treatment such as adrenaline
should be administered without delay.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals:
In case of accidental self-injection, seek medical advice immediately and show the
package leaflet or the label to the physician.

Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Not applicable.

No information is available on the safety and efficacy of this veterinary medicinal
product when used with any other veterinary medicinal product. A decision to use this
veterinary medicinal product before or after any other veterinary medicinal product
therefore needs to be made on a case-by-case basis.

Store and transport refrigerated (2 C – 8 C).
Do not freeze.
Protect from light.

Cattle and sheep: Zero days.

This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.