How secure is vaccination?

A study in 1997 by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency investigated 32 (randomly-recruited) outbreaks which had occurred in adult cattle. Of these, only three herds had had any sort of vaccination policy in place – and in two of those, the outbreaks occurred in animals which had never been vaccinated.

We can therefore infer that vaccination is an extremely reliable protective measure against lungworm, provided its use takes account of the anthelmintic worming strategy already in place.

In current circumstances, for example, it may be necessary to boost selected groups of animals if certain wormers are to be used. Primary vaccination of adults could also be considered after the period of intensive worming has finished.

See Vaccines and wormers for suggestions on how vaccination and wormers can be used alongside each other to prevent the creation of immunity gaps and provide secure protection against husk.