The Orf (Contagious Pustular Dermatitis) vaccine is indicated for active immunization of sheep and goats in flocks with a history of Orf, and to reduce clinical signs and severity.

INDICATIONS

• Reduce Disease Severity: The primary goal is to lessen the painful, crusted lesions (papules, scabs) that form around the mouth and nostrils, making it easier for animals to eat and preventing severe secondary infections.
• On-Premise Use: Only vaccinate herds or flocks where Orf has been a recurring problem, as the vaccine contains a live virus and can introduce the disease if used where it’s absent.
• Young Animals: Often used in lambs to protect them during their first year, when they are most susceptible, though it can be used in non-pregnant adults too.
•  Outbreaks: Helps manage existing infections by reducing the spread and severity of clinical signs.
• Timing: Immunity develops in 4-8 weeks, lasting at least a year.
• Application: It’s applied by scarification (scratching the skin) to create a “take” (a line of pustules), indicating successful vaccination.
• Healthy Animals: Must be given to healthy, non-immunosuppressed animals. 

ADMINISTRATION

• Preparation: Restrain the animal and expose bare skin (e.g., inner thigh, behind the elbow).
• Apply Vaccine: Load the pen-style applicator with the live vaccine.
• Scratch: Hold the applicator at a 45° angle and make a 4-5 cm scratch, just enough to break the skin without drawing blood.
• Deposit Vaccine: Apply a drop of vaccine onto the scratch, ensuring the blue dye is visible. Some methods suggest a second scratch at 90° to form an ‘X’.
• Check for “Take”: A successful vaccination shows a reaction (thickened skin, redness) at the site in 10-14 days, with pustules forming.