POM-V Prescription Required

Novamune Concentrate and Solvent for Suspension for Injection for Chickens

Active ingredient: Infectious bursal disease virus

Form

Injection

Species

Chickens

Manufacturer

Ceva Animal Health Ltd

VMD MA No.

15052/5032

What it's used for

Onset of immunity: expected from 30 days of age onwards depending on the initial MDA level. The immunisation is influenced by the natural decline of matern...

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 Infectious bursal disease vi...

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

Novamune Concentrate and Solvent for Suspension for Injection for Chickens — SPC Details

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

Onset of immunity: expected from 30 days of age onwards depending on the initial MDA
level.
The immunisation is influenced by the natural decline of maternally derived antibodies
(MDA), and has been found to occur when MDA have reached appropriate release level. The
onset of clinical protection depends on the initial MDA level.
In vaccinated day old future layer chicks the release of the vaccine virus (vaccine virus take)
was observed between 21-42 days after vaccination.
Duration of immunity: up to 9 weeks of age.
The virulent challenge tests conducted to support the claim were carried out on day old future
layer chicks having MDA ELISA titre of 3,000 to 5,700 (average Day 0 MDA levels).
Field trials carried out showed that vaccine virus replication in the bursa of Fabricius occurs
in day old future layer chicks having average MDA titre levels of 6,000 ELISA units.

The vaccine is to be administered once at 1 day of age.
Automatic syringe may be used. The injection volume is 0.2 ml per dose. The vaccine is
delivered under the skin of the neck.
Use sterile devices and equipment for reconstitution and for administration of the vaccine.
Proposed dilutions for subcutaneous administration:
Number of vaccine
ampoules
Solvent Volume of one
dose
2 x 500 doses200 ml4 x 500 doses400 ml8 x 500 doses800 ml1 x 1000 doses200 ml2 x 1000 doses400 ml4 x 1000 doses800 ml1 x 2000 doses400 ml2 x 2000 doses800 ml2 x 2000 + 1 x 1000
doses
1000 ml3 x 2000 doses1200ml4 x 2000 doses1600 ml
0.2 ml
Preparation of vaccine:
1. After matching the dose size of the vaccine ampoule(s) with the solvent (Cevac Solvent
Poultry) size, quickly remove from liquid nitrogen container the exact number of ampoules
needed.
2. Draw up 2-5 ml of solvent into a 5-10 ml sterile syringe. Use at least 18 gauge needles.
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’s length in
order to prevent any risk of injury should the ampoule break.
5. Once the ampoule is open slowly draw up the content into the needle already containing 2-
5 ml solvent.
6. Transfer the suspension into the solvent bag. The vaccine prepared as described is mixed
by gentle agitation.
7. Withdraw a portion of the vaccine into the syringe to rinse ampoule. Remove the washing
from the ampoule and inject it gently into the solvent bag. Repeat it one or two times.
8. The 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.
The vaccine should not be used if there are visible signs of unacceptable decolourisation in
the vials.
The reconstituted vaccine is orange to red, clear to opaque suspension. Insoluble particles
may be present.

Do not use in chickens from non-vaccinated parent flocks or having no MDA against IBDV as
vaccination of such birds may cause immunosuppression.

Chickens:
Very common (>1 animal / 10 animals
treated):
Bursa of Fabricius lymphocyte depletion
1
Mild to moderate which is maximal at around 7 days after vaccine take. After further 7 days,
this depletion decreases and is followed by lymphocyte repopulation and regeneration of the
bursa of Fabricius.
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.
Vaccinate only MDA positive birds which have at least an average day-old MDA level of 2500
ELISA units (this MDA level was determined from studies which used a commercially
available ELISA kit from BioCheck).

Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
Vaccinated chickens may excrete the vaccine strain up to 14 days following the vaccine virus
take. During this time, the contact of immunosuppressed and unvaccinated chickens with
vaccinated chickens should be avoided.
Appropriate veterinary and husbandry measures should be taken to avoid spread of the
vaccine strain to susceptible birds. Vaccinate all the birds in a flock at the same time.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product
to animals:
Liquid nitrogen containers and vaccine 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 can 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 use hygiene principles and
take particular care in handling litter from vaccinated chickens.
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.

Vaccine concentrate:
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.
Solvent:
Store below 25C. Do not freeze.

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.