Improving vaccination practices

Vaccinations are one of the most valuable tools available to pig producers. They help protect your pigs from disease, support responsible antibiotic usage, and contribute to productivity and profitability. The success of any vaccination programme relies not only on the vaccine itself, but also on how it is handled and administered. Recent research presented at the European Symposium of Porcine Health Management (ESPHM) in 2026 sheds light on two critical, yet often overlooked, aspects of the vaccination process: the cleanliness of our equipment and the accuracy of our injection technique. The findings suggest that by failing to get these basics right, we may be unintentionally causing tissue trauma, introducing bad bacteria and putting our pigs at risk of infection.

Importance of clean equipment

Think about the needles and vaccinator guns that you use. Are they truly clean? Research that tested vaccination equipment on 10 different farms in Germany found some alarming results (see Figure 1). Evidence of bacterial contamination was found across all farms. Swabs taken from vaccinator guns and needles showed that nearly 99 per cent of samples were contaminated, with over 80 per cent showing high bacterial loads, falling short of European standards set for water for injection into animals. Troublingly, the bacteria identified included Clostridium spp. (found in 90 per cent of samples), as well as Streptococcus suis and pathogenic Escherichia coli. When introduced during injection, these bacteria have the potential to cause abscesses, inflammation, and even systemic infection.

To minimise risk from contaminated equipment, needles should be replaced after each litter or every 10 pigs. Vaccinator guns should be thoroughly cleaned according to the manufacturer's instructions after each use. Avoid harsh disinfectants or chemicals, as residues can damage equipment or interfere with subsequent vaccines. Store equipment in a clean, dry, dust-free location such as a sealed container or cupboard, and inspect regularly for wear and tear. The volume administered should also be tested before vaccinating.

Hitting the target

Even when equipment hygiene is excellent, another important factor influences vaccine success: where the vaccine is delivered. The same German researchers found that 43 per cent of injections were placed outside the recommended injection zone in the neck.

The most common mistake was injecting too far back towards the shoulder. Why does this matter? For an intramuscular (IM) vaccine to work best, it needs to get deep into the muscle of the neck, avoiding bony landmarks like the shoulder blade. Injecting in the wrong area could also damage nerves, blood vessels, or salivary glands, causing pain and stress for the piglet, which may also compromise their immune response to vaccination.

Needle length is another important factor here. If the needle is too long for a small piglet, there is an increased risk of penetrating beyond the target muscle and causing unnecessary damage to underlying structures. If your needle is too short, you might only be injecting into the fat layer, which may impact vaccine uptake.

needle-free technology

For farms looking to overcome these common pitfalls, needle-free technology offers a compelling alternative. Intradermal systems like IDAL deliver a precise dose of vaccine into the skin without a needle, minimising the risk of contamination and disease transmission from dirty equipment and ensuring consistent, accurate vaccine delivery. Piglets vaccinated intradermally also show less lying and more suckling behaviour after vaccination.

By avoiding intramuscular injection-site lesions, IDAL can also directly reduce carcass damage and subsequent downgrades. Furthermore, it serves as a highly sustainable option; delivering a micro-dose of just 0.2ml without the use of a needle can significantly reduce vaccine packaging and medical waste from the farm's environmental footprint.

Getting the basics right

These studies remind us that proper vaccination is a technical skill that requires attention to detail. By focusing on two simple principles - using clean equipment and hitting the right injection site - farmers can help to reduce complications like abscesses, injury and infections to support a healthier herd.

Farmers should discuss their vaccination regime with their vet, who can also advice on infection control and on-farm biosecurity.

References available on request.