Quick Tip: Vaccinating in the Summer

Summer time stressors like high heat and humidity can reduce a calf’s response to vaccines. Sam Leadly, calf and heifer management specialist with Attica Veterinary Associates, offers these tips for vaccinating in the summer:

• Vaccinate early in the morning when heat stress is lowest.
• Keep vaccines out of direct sunlight.
• Keep vaccines cool by putting them in a frozen cold pack in a pail or insulated lunch box, not in pockets or pickup seats.
• Protect killed vaccines by putting back in the refrigerator; extended exposure to heat will reduce their effectiveness.
• Use modified live vaccines within three to four hours of reconstituting them (most manufacturers recommend one hour) and discard the leftover product.