All mycoplasma vaccines on the market are so-called killed vaccines. Unlike live vaccines, the pathogens in killed vaccines are no longer able to reproduce in the animals. Therefore, an adjuvant (= booster) is added to the vaccine to increase the effectiveness of the vaccine. This adjuvant presents the vaccine antigens to the immune system in a way that the immune response is increased. Conventional adjuvants are usually water-based, meaning the antigen is very quickly released into the organism and catabolized. However, in order for the vaccine to be sufficiently effective, the animal must be exposed to the pathogen over a certain period of time. Therefore, with killed vaccines, previously it was necessary to administer a repeat vaccination or "booster dose".
Novel delivery/adjuvant systems have an oily base and provide sustained release of the antigen (depot effect). This sustained release causes better, long-lasting stimulation of the immune system. Therefore, repeat vaccination can be eliminated while maintaining full vaccine protection. |
