Clostridial vaccines in sheep

Clostridial vaccines are cheap and highly effective multivalent vaccines, but deaths caused by clostridial diseases remain high, resulting in considerable losses to the sheep industry. 

Clostridial disease is a common cause of sudden death of sheep in the UK.

Clostridial bacteria live in the soil, produce toxins and cause disease when ingested or by entering wounds. With clostridial diseases, it is not the bacteria that cause disease but the toxins they produce.

Examples of clostridial diseases include pulpy kidney disease (Clostridium perfringens type D), lamb dysentery (C. perfringens type B), struck (C. perfringens type C), braxy (C. septicum), black disease (C. novyi), and botulism (C. botulinum).

Individual vaccine datasheets provide information on which bacteria each vaccine is effective against and contain instructions on correct administration.

Not all clostridial vaccines provide cover against all the clostridial bacteria.

A primary vaccination course is required followed by annual booster doses. If the dam has received a full primary vaccination course before pregnancy and receives a booster (check the products for timing) before parturition, she will provide her newborn lamb with passive immunity via her colostrum.

However, it is important to check datasheets as, for example, Ovivac P does not protect against lamb dysentery so other vaccines may be preferable for use during pregnancy to protect young lambs.

The following multivalent clostridial vaccines have been marketed in the UK:

• Bravoxin® is a multivalent clostridial vaccine for cattle and sheep
• Covexin 8 is a multivalent clostridial vaccine for cattle and sheep
• Covexin 10 is a multivalent clostridial vaccine for cattle and sheep
• Heptavac P Plus is a multivalent clostridial vaccine for sheep that can also aid in the control of pneumonic and systemic pasteurellosis
• Lambivac is a multivalent clostridial vaccine for sheep and pigs
• Ovivac P Plus is a multivalent clostridial vaccine for sheep that can also aid in the control of pneumonic and systemic pasteurellosis

The figures used to monitor estimated vaccine uptake are the number of doses of selected vaccines authorised for use in cattle and sheep sold in the UK each year.

These are based on wholesaler data collated by Kynetec and provided by MSD Animal Health.

Numerator

The number of doses of vaccine administered has been calculated by multiplying the number of packs sold by the number of doses per pack.

For Covexin 8, a higher dose was used as the first dose in the primary vaccination course.

It has been assumed that 20% of all doses of Covexin 8 were used in primary vaccination courses, and that half of these were administered at the higher dose level (i.e. it has been assumed that 10% of Covexin 8 doses used in sheep were 5 ml and the remainder were 2 ml).

Bravoxin and Covexin 8 are also licensed for use in cattle.

It has been assumed that 80% of the use of these vaccines is in sheep and the remainder in cattle. A small amount of clostridial vaccine is also used in pigs, but is not considered significant.

Denominator

The common industry recommendation is to vaccinate lambs with a primary course of clostridial vaccine, unless they are destined for slaughter before 12 weeks of age, or the dam was given a booster vaccine in late pregnancy.

It is recommended that all adult sheep should be given a primary course and an annual booster.

The total number of clostridial vaccine doses that would be required by the national UK flock has been estimated based on the assumption that all lambs in flocks in June receive two doses of clostridial vaccine and that the total breeding flock and all rams receive one annual booster vaccination.

Clostridial vaccine uptake has fluctuated slightly since 2012, but the overall trend is an increase in estimated uptake (Figure 1).

In recent years, estimated uptake dropped from 65% in 2023 to 61% in 2024 due to supply issues.

2025 saw a significant recovery in estimated uptake, to 71% coverage, demonstrating that the sheep industry value the protection offered by clostridial vaccination.

This increase occurred despite ongoing reported supply chain disruption.

Figure 1. Percentage of sheep vaccinated against clostridial diseases 2012–2025