Special Report

New PEDv vaccine being distributed

Reuters reports that Ames, Iowa-based pharmaceutical firm Harrisvaccines is now distributing a new vaccine for Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) in pigs and is seeking broader license for its use.

But a company official says it’s too early to know how effective the vaccine is.

The vaccine, called “iPED,” was developed in August.  Harrisvaccines is one of the first U.S. companies to develop a vaccine to fight the disease.  Joel Harris, head of sales and marketing, tells Reuters that the vaccine has been used in multiple states, including Iowa and North Carolina. He says the vaccine is predominately being used in herds that are already affected.

The company says it is working with the USDA to obtain a conditional license to more widely market and sell the vaccine. The vaccine is currently available on a veterinarian prescription basis only.

Vaccines have been used to fight PEDv in Asia and Europe, but according to animal health officials, those vaccines are not approved for use in the United States due to concerns over their effectiveness.