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Vaccination of birds against Avian Paramyxovirus (PMV-1)
Vaccines intended for use against Newcastle Disease in poultry could provide some cross-immunity to PMV-1 and may help reduce the spread of disease in pigeons.
Nothing is known about the efficacy or possible side effects of vaccination of pigeons (and other bird species) with the Newcastle Disease vaccines available in Australia i.e. there is no guarantee that the vaccine will prevent your birds getting sick from PMV-1 and the vaccine itself could make your birds sick.
Vaccinating pigeons with Newcastle Disease vaccine most likely will not prevent infection but may prevent the birds from developing significant clinical signs of illness. Vaccinated birds that are infected with PMV-1 will still shed some virus so high levels of biosecurity are still required to prevent the spread of disease.
Biosecurity SA does not endorse or recommend the vaccination of pigeons with Newcastle Disease Vaccine.
Newcastle Disease Vaccine is only registered for use in poultry and requires a permit from Biosecurity SA. However private veterinarians can apply to Biosecurity SA for a permit to purchase Newcastle Disease Vaccine to supply their clients for “off label” use in other birds.
For Veterinarians to obtain a permit:
- contact Biosecurity SA at the Glenside Office on 8207 7900
- Fill out the application form, Permit application ND vaccination - non poultry (
MS Word 162.5 KB), to provide relevant flock details including:
- owners name, address and location of birds,
- number and type of birds to be vaccinated
- number of vaccine doses to be ordered and
- the anticipated vaccination date.
Since the vaccines are only registered for use in chickens, the veterinarian must issue a veterinary script/written instructions for off label use of the vaccine. This must include specific instructions on vaccine administration (including dose, route of administration and details of birds to be vaccinated) which must be given to the end user.
Only healthy birds from healthy flocks should be vaccinated.
Vaccines available:
Newcastle Disease Vaccines in Australia come in either a live (eye or intranasal drop) or inactivated (injectable) form.
Live V4 vaccines should be available in 1000, 2000, 300, 4000 and 5000 dose vials. Inactivated vaccines should be available as a 250 or 1000 chicken dose bottle.
Inactivated (injectable) vaccines are used overseas at a dose of 0.25ml per pigeon. Eye or nasal drop is the recommended way to vaccinate pigeons with the live vaccine.
In general inactivated injectable vaccines produce longer periods of immunity however post-vaccination reactions may occur. The immunity derived from the live vaccine may be as short as 4 weeks and require regular revaccination.
Newcastle Disease Vaccines are made by the following companies Bioproperties, Intervet and Pfizer.
- Page URL: http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecuritysa/animalhealth/animal_health/pigeon_paramyxovirus/vaccination_of_birds_against_avian_paramyxovirus_pmv-1
- Page Last Modified: November 8, 2011