Innovation by Boehringer Ingelheim further optimises vaccination in pigs, with the release of TwistPak® for FLEXcombo®. The patented bottle system enables the mixing of both fresh vaccines (Ingelvac CircoFLEX® and Ingelvac MycoFLEX®) at the point of use without the need for needle transfer. TwistPak® enables swine producers to combine the two vaccines in a convenient, hygienic, and safe way, compared with mixing via transfer spikes.

Boehringer Ingelheim has demonstrated that vaccinating pigs with its FLEXcombo® vaccine, which controls Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhp) not only improves pig performance, it also reduces the overall carbon footprint of pig production.

“Fast and even growth is vital for profitable pig production, and effectively mitigating disease through vaccination, as part of a disease control plan, supports pigs to meet their growth targets on time,” says Dr Lysan Eppink, Swine Veterinary Adviser at Boehringer Ingelheim.

 “Any increase in time to marketable weight caused by disease not only increases production costs, but also increases the environmental impact of that pig through additional feed, water, power, veterinary medicines and other resources,” she explains.

In Boehringer’s lifecycle assessment (LCA) for FLEXcombo® environmental savings were calculated using average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and mortality rates from 17 studies (2008-2020). Greater environmental savings were found in higher performing vaccinated pigs versus non-vaccinated pigs.

Carbon footprint was measured in greenhouse gas equivalent (GHGe) and water use in litres, per 100 fattening pigs, vaccinated with Boehringer’s FLEXcombo® or Ingelvac CircoFLEX® versus no vaccination. Vaccinated pigs not only had improved performance indicators, and more efficient growth, but also reduced GHGe by 5% (1647kg) and water use by 2% (42.83L).

It’s not just vaccinating that improves performance either, the specific vaccine used can also have an impact, says Dr Eppink. “Recent studies comparing pigs given FLEXcombo® via a needle free intramuscular device versus Mhyosphere® PCV2 ID given via a needle free intradermal device, demonstrated pigs receiving FLEXcombo® had a much lower mortality rate and better growth resulting in increased profitability.

In the small pigs at weaning, this effect on growth was even more obvious with the small pigs vaccinated with FLEXcombo® at weaning clearly outperforming the other pigs at 13 weeks on average daily gain and uniformity.

The carbon footprint savings from vaccination not only come from improved pig performance. The lifecycle assessment from cradle to grave, performed according to ISO 14040/14044 and certified by TÜV Rheinland, considers the environmental cost of producing the TwistPak® Ingelvac CircoFlex® and Ingelvac MycoFlex® packaged vaccines too.

Here, Boehringer Ingelheim has lowered its carbon emissions and water-use footprint by utilising 80% renewable energy, water recycling systems, and sustainable building management at its production facilities, and greening its logistics in packaging and distribution.

For producers and the supply chain, Boehringer Ingelheim’s certified lifecycle assessment demonstrates clearly the environmental and financial benefits of effective vaccination of pigs, and the advantages of choosing FLEXcombo®, made even easier to mix using the new TwistPak® bottles.