POM-V Prescription Required

Cevac MD HVT Suspension and Solvent for Suspension for Injection for Chickens

Active ingredient: Turkey herpesvirus

Form

Injection

Species

Chickens

Manufacturer

Ceva Sante Animale

VMD MA No.

14966/3054

What it's used for

For active immunisation of 18-day-old embryonated chicken eggs or one-day-old chicks to reduce mortality, clinical signs and lesions caused by mild and vir...

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 Turkey herpesvirus

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

Cevac MD HVT Suspension and Solvent for Suspension for Injection for Chickens — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 26 Mar 2026.

For active immunisation of 18-day-old embryonated chicken eggs or one-day-old
chicks to reduce mortality, clinical signs and lesions caused by mild and virulent
strains of Marek’s disease virus.
Onset of immunity: 9 days after the vaccination.
Duration of immunity: A single vaccination is sufficient to provide protection during
the risk period of infection with Marek’s disease.

In ovo or subcutaneous use:
In ovo:
One single injection of 0.05 ml is injected into each 18-day-old embryonated chicken
egg. For application an automatic egg injector can be used.
equipment should be calibrated to ensure that a 0.05 ml dose is applied to each egg.
Subcutaneous use (preferably under the skin of the neck):
One single injection of 0.2 ml per chick is applied at one day of age.

Revised: October 2025
AN: 02022/2025Page 3 of 6
The vaccine may be injected by automatic syringe. The 500 dose presentation is
recommended for manual injection.
Overview table for recommended dilution possibilities of different presentations:
For in ovo administration:
Frozen suspension
presentation
No. of ampoules x
doses (D)
Solvent
presentation
(ml)
Volume of one dose
(ml)
8 x 500 D2008 x 1000 D4004 x 2000 D4002 x 4000 D4004 x 4000 D8005 x 4000 D10006 x 4000 D12008 x 4000 D1600
0.05
The speed of automatic injection is at least 2500 eggs per hour. Solvent presentation
of at least or more than 400 ml is recommended to prime the machine and inject for
longer than 10 minutes.
The 200 ml solvent presentation may be used for manual in-ovo equipment.
For subcutaneous administration:
Frozen suspension
presentation
No. of ampoules x
doses (D)
Solvent
presentation
(ml)
Volume of one dose
(ml)
2 x 500 D2001 x 1000 D2001 x 2000 D4002 x 2000 D8001 x 4000 D8003 x 2000 D12002 x 4000 D1600
0.20
The usual aseptic precautions should be applied to all administration procedures.
Be familiar with all safety and precautionary measures for handling liquid nitrogen in
order to prevent personal injury.
Reconstitution of the vaccine:
1. After matching the dose size of the ampoules with the solvent size, quickly
remove the exact number of ampoules needed from the liquid nitrogen container.
2. Draw up 2 ml of solvent into a 5 ml syringe. Use minimum 18 gauge needle.
3. Thaw rapidly the contents of the ampoules by gentle agitation in water at 27-
39°C.
4. As soon as they are completely thawed, open ampoules holding them at arm
length in order to prevent any risk of injury should the ampoule break.

Revised: October 2025
AN: 02022/2025Page 4 of 6
5. Once the ampoule is open, slowly draw up the content into the 5-ml sterile
syringe prepared as in point 2.
6. Transfer the thawed suspension into the solvent bag. The reconstituted vaccine
prepared as described is mixed by gentle agitation.
7. Withdraw a portion of the diluted vaccine from the solvent bag into the syringe
and use it to rinse the ampoule. Inject it gently back into the solvent bag. Repeat
once or twice.
8. The reconstituted vaccine prepared as described is mixed by gentle agitation so
as to be ready for use.
Repeat the operations in point 2-7 for the appropriate number of ampoules to be
thawed.
Use the reconstituted vaccine immediately, slowly mix regularly to ensure uniform
suspension of cells and use within a period not exceeding 2 hours.
It should be ensured that the diluted vaccine is mixed regularly in a gentle way during
the vaccination session to guarantee that the vaccine remains homogenous and that
the correct virus titer is administered (e.g. when automatic in ovo injection machines
are used or during long vaccination sessions).

None.

None known.

Vaccinate healthy animals only.

Revised: October 2025
AN: 02022/2025Page 2 of 6

Special precautions for use in animals
The vaccine strain was shown to be excreted by chickens for 46 days. The excreted
vaccine strain was not harmful in turkeys in safety trials; however, special
precautions should be taken to avoid spreading of the vaccine strain to turkeys. A
ten-fold overdose was safe for turkeys, ducks, quails, guinea fowls, pheasants and
pigeons.
No spread was demonstrated between chickens.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals
Liquid nitrogen containers and vaccine ampoules should be handled by properly
trained personnel only.
Personal protective equipment consisting of protective gloves, spectacles and boots
should be worn when handling the veterinary medicinal product, before withdrawing
from liquid nitrogen, during the ampoule thawing and opening operations.
Frozen glass ampoules may explode during sudden temperature changes.
Store and use liquid nitrogen only in a dry and well-ventilated place. Inhalation of the
liquid nitrogen is dangerous.
Personnel involved in the treatment of vaccinated birds should follow hygiene
principles and take particular care in handling litter from vaccinated chickens.

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

Frozen virus suspension:
Store and transport frozen in liquid nitrogen (-196°C).
The liquid nitrogen containers must be checked regularly for liquid nitrogen level and
must be refilled as needed. Store liquid nitrogen container securely in upright position
in a clean, dry and well-ventilated room separated from the hatching/chicken room in
the hatchery.
Solvent:
Store below 25°C. Do not freeze.

syringe prepared as in point 2.

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.