POM-VPS Prescription Required

Footvax Emulsion for Injection for Sheep

Active ingredient: Dichelobacter nodosus

Form

Injection

Species

Sheep

Manufacturer

Intervet International B.V.

VMD MA No.

06376/4110

What it's used for

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Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

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Paying less for Dichelobacter nodosus

1

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Clinical information

Footvax Emulsion for Injection for Sheep — SPC Details

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

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Dose: 1 ml.
Primary vaccination: Two vaccinations, at an interval of 6 weeks. This vaccine
should be administered by subcutaneous injection underneath a skinfold in the neck
at least 5 – 8 cm behind the ear to strictly avoid muscle and nervous tissues in the
neck.
Shake bottle thoroughly before use.
As the vaccine contains an oil adjuvant it is rather viscous. It will aid administration
in cold weather if the vaccine is gently warmed by immersion in warm water (not hot)
for 3-4 minutes before use.
Particularly strict precautions should be taken against contamination of the vaccine.
Sterile syringes and needles should be used and the injection made through an area
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of clean, dry skin, taking strict precautions against contamination in order to reduce
the possibility of abscess formation.
Vaccination programmes:
These should be tailored to meet individual flock requirements which will vary from
season to season according to the actual or likely incidence of footrot.
Wherever possible ‘whole flock’ vaccination programmes should be adopted. By this
means disease incidence in the flock will decline and subsequent disease risk from
the environment will be greatly reduced.
Prevention programme:
Commence vaccination with a single dose of vaccine. Further doses of vaccine will
be required according to the flock disease status and/or the climatic conditions. If,
after 4-6 weeks significant levels of disease remain in the flock or climatic conditions
conducive to footrot persist, administer a further dose. Otherwise delay this dose
until conditions favour re-emergence of the disease.
Subsequent doses should also be administered according to prevailing conditions.
Thus, with severe and constant disease challenge, revaccination may be necessary
at 4-5 monthly intervals; conversely under favourable conditions revaccination may
be delayed until the incidence of disease challenge increases or climatic conditions
worsen.
It should be noted that these adverse conditions tend to occur in the UK between
March and May and between October and December thus, vaccination should
normally be completed shortly before these periods if problems are anticipated.
Treatment programme:
A single dose of vaccine should be given to the flock immediately the disease
becomes apparent. For maximum effect, treatment with the vaccine should be
combined with the use of a footbath and antibiotic treatment.
Revaccination should be as stated in the prevention programme, which should then
be continued on the farm as the key element of the overall flock foot care
programme.

Do not vaccinate sheep within 6–8 weeks of shearing.
Do not use in lactating dairy sheep.
Do not vaccinate ewes in the period of 4 weeks before lambing to 4 weeks after
lambing.

Sheep:
Very common
(>1 animal / 10 animals treated):
Injection site swelling.
Rare
(1 to 10 animals / 10,000 animals
treated):
Lameness.
Very rare
(<1 animal / 10,000 animals
treated, including isolated reports):
Hypersensitivity reaction.
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The vaccine may cause a reaction at the site of injection. This may range from a
slight swelling to a well-defined lump of about 3 cm to 5 cm or even 8 cm diameter,
from about 24 hours after injection to 8 days after injection. These swellings
generally remain inactive and may resolve completely within 4-6 weeks, but
frequently swellings persist for at least 10 weeks. Occasionally, these swellings may
be large, painful and unsightly, with the formation of abscesses which may burst and
discharge, particularly if any contaminating skin bacteria are introduced at the time
of injection. Partial or complete resolution within 10 weeks of inoculation can be
expected. Reactions to second doses develop more slowly but the formation of
necrotic lesions is rare. Occasionally abscesses may be noted on macroscopic
examination of injection sites. Subcutaneous necrosis and inflammation may be
noted on microscopic examination of injection sites.
Generalised and transitory lameness, which is thought to be due to a local
immunological reaction, has been reported after vaccination, occurring within 24
hours of vaccination and normally persisting for no more than 48 hours.
In such cases adrenalin 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 its local representative or the national
competent authority via the national reporting system. See the package leaflet for
respective contact details.

None.

Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
Sheep destined for show or sale should not be vaccinated within the previous 6
months because of the occurrence of a well-defined, inactive lump at the site of
injection.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals:
To the user:
This veterinary medicinal product contains mineral oil. Accidental injection/self-
injection may result in severe pain and swelling, particularly if injected into a joint or
finger, and in rare cases could result in the loss of the affected finger if prompt
medical attention is not given. If you are accidentally injected with this veterinary
medicinal product, seek prompt medical advice even if only a very small amount is
injected and take the package leaflet with you. If pain persists for more than 12
hours after medical examination, seek medical advice again.
To the physician:
This veterinary medicinal product contains mineral oil. Even if small amounts have
been injected, accidental injection with this veterinary medicinal product can cause
intense swelling, which may, for example, result in ischaemic necrosis and even the
loss of a digit. Expert, PROMPT, surgical attention is required and may necessitate
early incision and irrigation of the injected area, especially where there is
involvement of finger pulp or tendon.
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 decided on a case by
case basis.

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

Zero days.
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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.