Another RHD2 vaccine Eravac: NOT for pet bunnies

Being a bit lazy because I'm copying and pasting from the RHD2 Facebook group, but why reinvent the wheel...

**important update** Some of you may have seen a news report suggesting that an RHD2 vaccine has now gained EU-wide (including UK) approval. Please note that the datasheet makes clear that the duration of immunity has not been established and this vaccine is not for use in our pet/breeder rabbits - we should therefore continue to use the Filavac.

The new vaccine is called Eravac and has been produced to prevent the disease in meat rabbits. Because these rabbits only have a short lifespan before they are killed for meat, the duration of immunity has not been reported and there is therefore no information on how long it will give protection to our pets. Presumably this is why the datasheet explicitly specifies that it is for meat rabbits only and not for use in pet or breeding rabbits.

No doubt the situation will become clearer over time, but just in case anyone has seen it and is wondering, or any veterinary practices have seen the news and are thinking of ordering the Eravac, please make sure that you read all the information/point your vets to the information below and hopefully they will agree that the filavac is still the appropriate vaccine to use for now. The Veterinary Medicine Directorate press release does say that Filavac will still be available where the Eravac is not suitable - and given that the datasheet suggests that Eravac is not suitable for pets/breeding rabbits, the Filavac should continue to be available as at present.

While at the present time the Eravac does not seem to be suitable for our pets, I am hopeful that this signals a change in the market and that a suitable RHD2 vaccine/combo vaccine will become licenced in the UK at some point. In the meantime, I'd suggest that we all continue sourcing and using the filavac as advised by our vets, as it's available now, there is data on its effectiveness now and we can protect our bunnies now.
Please see datasheet in link below and please pay particular note to section 4.2 (duration of immunity not established) and 4.4 (only for use in fattening rabbits) http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB...Information/veterinary/004239/WC500214906.pdf

Bumping up

Thank you! The RWAF have also issued the following (copied & pasted from their Facebook page)

The recent licensing of ERAVAC RHD2 vaccine for use in the UK is important in that it further recognises the concerns of the regulatory authorities and drug companies that RHD2 is a serious health and welfare concern to UK rabbits. However, there are a few caveats here, related to its origin as a vaccine for meat rabbits. The vaccine duration of action has not been determined, as meat rabbits are typically slaughtered very early in life. In fact, the product characteristics state: "Vaccinate only fattening rabbits. No information is available on the safety and efficacy in other categories such as breeding or pet rabbits."
In addition, the vaccine is oil adjuvanted, necessitating the following user warning:

*Eravac is an emulsion containing mineral oil. Accidental injection may cause severe pain and selling, particularly if injected into a joint or finger – this could result in the loss of the finger if prompt medical attention is not given. If someone is accidentally injected with this product, they must seek medical attention immediately even if only a very small amount is injected. The package leaflet should be shown to the doctor. If pain persists for more than 12 hours after medical examination, the doctor should be contacted again.*
For these reasons, we feel that other vaccines, such a Filavac, covering RHD2 are preferable for the pet and rabbit population in the UK. As ever, rabbit owners are urged to discuss the specifics of their rabbit's care with their own vets, and those vets are welcome to contact RWAF for further discussion should they wish to.