Oregon regulations allow healthy females of breeding age, which were not vaccinated as calves, to be vaccinated for brucellosis after twelve months of age. The USDA does not recognize Mature Vaccination as “official vaccination", and many states will not accept mature vaccinated cattle. Before sending mature vaccinated cattle interstate, check with the state of destination to determine their policy on mature vaccinates.
Note: Adult vaccination is an official USDA term and refers to vaccination of a brucellosis infected or exposed herd. It is important to use the term “Mature Vaccination" when dealing with normal vaccination of cattle over twelve months of age.
Brucellosis vaccination of female cattle over the age of 12 months may be performed under the following stipulations
- Cattle must be owned or intended to be purchased by an Oregon producer for inclusion into their production herd for reproduction purposes. Feeder cattle will not be considered.
- If the cattle are coming from another state, the Oregon owner must call the State Veterinarian for permission to vaccinate them. Vaccination of these cattle may be allowed on a case-by-case basis.
- A blood sample must be drawn at the time of vaccination and sent to an official laboratory for brucellosis testing. Mature vaccinated cattle must be held under quarantine until blood testing results are returned
- Given a subcutaneous 1-mL dose of Brucella abortus Strain RB51 vaccine
- Permanently identified as an Oregon mature vaccinate by tattoo in the right ear using the following:
- The letter “M"
- The US Registered Shield and “V"
- The last digit of the year in which the vaccination was done
- Officially identified by official eartag or other official identification device
- If the animal is already identified with an approved means of official identification, an additional official eartag should not be used.
- Orange “Official Vaccinate" tags may not be used in mature vaccinates
- Reported at the time of vaccination separately from any officially vaccinated animals by submitting a completed VS Form 1-24 or VS Form 1-26 or Oregon Online Brucellosis Vaccination Form (OVIS), clearly indicating “Mature Vaccinates" on the form.