The three strains contained in the vaccine are recent and are of European origin. The real novelty of Gripovac® 3 is the H1N2 strain which has been found in several European countries at a variable rate of prevalence: 89% of positive farms in Belgium [1] , 54% in France [2] , 48% in Spain [3] and 41% in the Netherlands [4] .

Influenza viruses are the major pathogens involved in acute respiratory disorders, and hyperthermia in sows can cause serious reproductive problems, including abortions. Economic losses incurred by swine influenza are estimated at €28 per sow per year [5]. Gripovac®3 has demonstrated broad cross-protection against influenza strains present in Europe. The outstanding safety of Gripovac®3 means that the vaccine can be used at all stages of production of sows and gilts, and also fatteners. The vaccination schedule for sows consists of two 2-ml injections at a 3-week interval for the primary vaccination, and a booster at each gestation or subsequent lactations. If the booster is done 2 weeks prior to farrowing, piglets will be protected via colostral immunity.

Gripovac®3, developed with IDT-BIOLOGIKA, was granted market authorisation on 14th January 2010 by the European Commission and will be distributed by Merial in all countries of the EMEA region except Germany (IDT) in 25 or 50-dose bottles according to the country. Progressively it will replace Merial’s current swine influenza vaccine GRIPOVAC® which contains only H3N2 and H1N1 subtypes.

[1] Van Reeth et al. (2008), Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses 2 (3), 99-105 [2] Kuntz-Simon (2009), not published [3] Maldonado et al. (2006) Vet. Journal 172, 377-381 [4] Loeffen et al. (2009), Vet. Microbiology 137, 45-48 [5] Madec et al. (1992), updated with 2008 French technico-economic data