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AquaVac* ERM - Immersion Vaccination

Fish are fully immersed in a diluted solution containing the vaccine for 30 seconds after which they are returned to the holding tanks. The methods involved are simple and easy to implement and will give good results providing that a few basic rules are adhered to. In brief the rules are:

1. Only vaccinate healthy fish.
2. Vaccinate the correct weight of fish i.e. 100 kg per litre of undiluted vaccine.
3. Observe the 30 second immersion time.
4. Make sure that the conditions in the vaccine solution are appropriate for the fish. The solution should be well oxygenated, at the correct temperature and clean. The fish should not be stressed by the procedure.
5. Allow adequate time for immunity to develop before exposing the fish to the disease (14-21 days).

I. PREPARATION OF FISH FOR IMMERSION VACCINATION

Prerequisites
Minimum size 1g; optimum size 5g
Immune induction period 14 days at 10C
Minimum temperature 6C, optimum temperature 10C
Maximum of 100kg fish per litre of undiluted vaccine

Time
The time to vaccinate will be determined by the expected time of first exposure to the disease (i.e. movement from hatchery to ongrowing site), size of the fish and water temperature. The following information is provided as a guide to ensure optimum results from immersion vaccination using AquaVac™ ERM.

Condition and Health
In order to respond well to vaccination and to ensure that the vaccination procedures do not precipitate additional disease or husbandry problems the condition and health of the fish must be good.
Immersion vaccines are taken up through the gills. Therefore, these must be in good condition. Any signs or symptoms of gill disease or adverse environmental conditions must be treated and resolved prior to vaccination.
The fish must not be suffering from parasitic or bacterial infections. If present these must be treated prior to vaccination.
Fish should be graded and batched prior to vaccination to ensure optimum use of the vaccine solution and to reduce the stress of the handling process associated with immersion vaccination.

Starvation
As with any handling procedure the fish should be starved prior to vaccination. This is both to reduce the level of stress associated with the procedure and also to avoid fouling of the vaccination solution, which results in a build up of toxic waste material and ammonia causing acute stress and damage to the fish.

II. PREPARATION OF EQUIPMENT

Immersion Vaccination equipment

1. Vaccination tank for vaccine solution (1 litre of vaccine and 9 litres of water) - designed to optimise the volume/surface area ratio.
2. Knotless net or strainer basket for de-watering fish.
3. Scales and weighing system
4. Stop watch
5. Vaccination record sheet.

Preparing the vaccine solution
1 litre AquaVac* ERM vaccine per 100kg fish to be vaccinated. If a greater weight of fish are to be vaccinated more than 1 litre of vaccine can be used at a time e.g. 300kg fish = 3 litres vaccine + 27 litres water.

1. Shake vaccine well to ensure all of the antigen pellet is suspended.
2. Measure out 9 litres clean hatchery water per litre of vaccine to be diluted.
3. Add vaccine to water and mix well.
4. Oxygenate lightly to maintain good saturation. Avoid super saturation.

III. VACCINATION

Immersion Vaccination Procedure

1. Place vaccination tank on scales and tare to zero
2. Drain a netful of fish
3. Immerse fish in the vaccine solution for 30 seconds
   Ensure that:
   - fish are not overcrowded
   - solution circulates around fish
   - fish are able to breathe freely
4. Note weight of fish vaccinated
5. Drain fish carefully maintaining the vaccine solution in the vaccination tank
6. Return vaccinated fish to holding tank
7. Repeat process until the maximum allowable weight of fish has been vaccinated (100kg/litre of vaccine used)

Precaution during Process

1. Fish should not show any signs of distress during or after the vaccination procedure. If they do, stop vaccinating and resolve the problem.
2. Minimise the time out of water to reduce stress.
3. Ensure that no scale or skin damage is caused by the equipment or handling procedures.

AquaVac* ERM immersion vaccine is completely safe and will not cause any damage to the fish. The handling procedures will cause harm if not carefully implemented. Allow 14-21 days for immunity to build up following vaccination. Booster vaccinate using AquaVac* ERM Oral 4-6 months after primary vaccination.

* Trademark

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