MSD Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA, today announced the launch of IDAL^® 3G Twin, the first needle-free and intradermal device with two injector heads and the latest innovation in the IDAL^® portfolio for swine vaccination, at the MSD Animal Health High Quality Pork meeting in Baveno, Italy.

The new, easy-to-use IDAL^® 3G Twin allows veterinarians and producers to quickly deliver two vaccines with a single movement to efficiently protect against common swine diseases. This improves farm management by reducing the labor needed to vaccinate large numbers of pigs, while improving animal welfare by reducing stress and pain to the animal during vaccination.

“Building on technology used in the IDAL^® 2G and 3G devices, the new IDAL^® 3G Twin is specifically designed to help veterinarians and producers quickly protect their herd from two of the most common diseases found in swine today,” said Olivia Azlor, MBA, Director, Global Swine Marketing, MSD Animal Health. “This latest innovation in needle-free and intradermal vaccination further advances swine production and highlights our ongoing commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals^®.

“Needle-free and intradermal vaccination is the future of swine vaccination and has clear benefits to both the farmer and the animal,” said David Peroz, veterinarian, Pig Production, Terrena, France. “By enabling the delivery of two vaccines at once, IDAL^® 3G Twin supports farm management.”

Florian Voisin, veterinarian, Swine Practitioner, Hyovet, France, adds “Now farmers have a tool that allows them to efficiently vaccinate their pigs with minimal stress to the animal while maintaining food quality and overall animal welfare.”

In combination with “The IDAL^® Way,” the broadest portfolio of vaccines designed for intradermal use, the IDAL^® 3G Twin device helps to prevent porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M Hyo), keeping the pigs healthy and creating a sustainable food production chain. Where licensed, the following vaccines can currently be administered:

• PORCILIS^® PCV ID: The first intradermal PCV vaccine for active immunization of pigs as early as three weeks of age to reduce PCV2 viremia, viral load in the lung and lymphoid tissue and virus shedding, loss of daily weight gain and mortality associated with a PCV2 infection.
• PORCILIS^® M. HYO ID ONCE: A one-dose vaccine for immunization of piglets as early as three weeks of age to reduce lung lesions and decrease in daily weight gain during the finishing period following a Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection.

As a third-generation device in the company’s needle-free IDAL^® vaccine delivery system, IDAL^® 3G Twin has additional features that make the system easier to use, including a long-lasting Li-Ion battery, a balanced design, ergonomically shaped two-component surface for maximum grip, and intuitive handling with two-button control and graphical display.

Producers and veterinarians can contact their MSD Animal Health representative for more information.