POM-VPS Prescription Required

Colombovac PMV Suspension for Injection

Active ingredient: Newcastle disease virus

Form

Injection

Species

Pigeon (non-food producing)

Manufacturer

Zoetis UK Limited

VMD MA No.

42058/5229

What it's used for

Onset of immunity: 4 weeks. Duration of immunity: 1 year.

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 Newcastle disease virus

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

Colombovac PMV Suspension for Injection — SPC Details

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

Onset of immunity: 4 weeks.
Duration of immunity: 1 year.

Administration: The vial has to be swirled several times before use.
The vaccine has to be administered by subcutaneous injection dorsally in the neck region
(in the direction of the back).
Primary vaccination:
Racing Pigeons
All birds in the loft should be given one vaccination annually not less than 14 days before
the beginning of the racing season.
Young birds may be vaccinated with the veterinary medicinal product from 3 weeks of
age when a single injection will provide immunity for 1 year.
Following vaccination, avoid contact with birds from other lofts for at least 14 days.
Show Pigeons
All birds on the premises should be given one vaccination annually not less than 14 days
before the beginning of the show season.
Young birds may be vaccinated with the veterinary medicinal product from 3 weeks of
age when a single injection will provide immunity for 1 year. Following vaccination, avoid
contact with birds from other sources for at least 14 days.
Booster vaccination:
Racing Pigeons
All adult birds in the loft should be given a single booster vaccination annually. Where the
annual booster vaccination may interfere with the training or racing programme, it may
be brought forward prior to the commencement of each racing season.
Show Pigeons
All adult birds on the premises should be given a single booster vaccination annually.

Do not vaccinate during the last 2 weeks prior to mating.

Pigeons:
Very common (>1 animal / 10 animals treated):Injection site swelling
1
Up to 1 cm in diameter, which may last up to 4 weeks or more. They tend to disappear
without treatment. In cases of adverse reactions not disappearing spontaneously the
veterinary surgeon should be contacted.
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:
Not for intramuscular injection: Intramuscular injection causes severe adverse reactions.
Maternally derived antibodies (MDA) can interfere with the development of active
immunity. Where it is likely that recent field infection or vaccination of the parent flock has
stimulated a high antibody titre and consequently a high level of MDA, the timing of the
vaccination programme should be planned accordingly.
In cases of hypersensitivity reactions treat immediately with glucocorticoid intravenously
or adrenaline intramuscularly.
The incubation period for pigeon paramyxovirosis may be a few days to several weeks.
However, after infection with the wild virus, pigeons may excrete the virus from the eye
and in the droppings within 3-4 days. This means that infected birds can be a danger to
others some days before their own symptoms appear. Excretion of wild virus from the
infected bird continues for up to 6 weeks. This information is important since, in addition
to direct bird to bird contact at competitions and shows, the disease can be spread by
indirect means such as hands, overalls, caps, boots and contaminated objects such as
baskets and trucks.
An owner should forbid visits to the loft by anyone in contact with unvaccinated pigeons
and new birds (either purchased or lent for mating) should not be brought in unless
vaccinated at least 14 days previously.
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 vaccine 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.

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

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.