Further studies on passive immunization of newborn calves against rotaviral infection

An inactivated rotavirus vaccine was prepared with an adjuvant which gives a water-in-oil emulsion. The vaccine when injected into cows in their last month of pregnancy, proved to be as effective as the traditional vaccine, prepared with the Freud's incomplete adjuvant, in enhancing the lactogenic immunity. Thus, feeding experimentally infected calves with colostrum and first milk from vaccinated cows prevented diarrhea and reduced significantly rotavirus shedding. Because of its low grade viscosity the water-in-oil emulsifier facilitates inoculation of the vaccine and is therefore recommended as an adjuvant in the preparation of inactivated rotavirus vaccine.