Delivery Methods
Traditional vaccine delivery is by means of a needle and syringe, administered by hand, usually into a large muscle group. Alternate delivery methods have been developed to reduce the labor required, increase the efficiency and accuracy of dosing each animal, and explore different methods of introducing antigens into the body.
Timing
Because it takes time and effort for the body to build up immunity, the best time to administer vaccinations to calves is well before they are exposed to stressors such as weaning, and well before they leave the ranch and co-mingle with other animals. Multiple doses (i.e., a booster shot) of the vaccine are also required in most cases to allow the body to fully build immunity. Calves that have received all vaccinations prior to leaving the ranch stand a much better chance of survival.
Vaccination schedules for calves, cows, heifers, and bulls are created by veterinarians in collaboration with the beef cattle producers to align with times when the animals will be handled for other reasons. To view an example of a cow-calf vaccination protocol, check out the table in this article by the Canadian Cattlemen Beef Magazine
