GUDAIR® NEEDLE STICK INJURIES
Ovine Johne's Disease (OJD) is a very important disease to Victorian sheep producers, as it can have a significant effect on the health and welfare of their sheep, and hence their ability to trade. Vaccination is a key component of a lot of sheep producers’ management strategies, however when using the GUDAIR vaccine for prevention of OJD there are a few essential safety points that all producers need to be aware of especially in case of a needle stick injury. GUDAIR is a vaccine that is designed for application to animals, and to have a long-lasting effect in those animals. Because of these features and the composition of the vaccine, it can have a very harmful effect on humans if it is accidently injected or if you get it in your eyes or mouth.
Prevention is always better than cure, so when using GUDAIR (or any other oil based vaccine such as VIBROVAX or PILLIGARD), use proper precautions, such as ensuring animals are properly restrained, removing needles with pliers, disposing of needles in an appropriate container and always using a shrouded applicator such as a SEKURUS Safety Vaccinator. However, if you do become exposed to GUDAIR® please follow these procedures: (to the right of this column)
If GUDAIR® gets on your lips, or in your mouth or eyes:
- Rinse the exposed area thoroughly with water
- See a doctor immediately, and take the vaccine carton with the label insert, or take the GUDAIR Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
If GUDAIR gets on your skin:
- Wash the exposed area thoroughly with soap and water
- Check the area to make sure the skin that was exposed to he vaccine is not broken
- Monitor the area, and if irritation occurs go to a doctor as soon as possible, and take the vaccine carton with the label insert, or take the GUDAIR Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
If you inject yourself with GUDAIR, suffer a needle-stick injury with a needle that has been used with GUDAIR, or if you expose broken skin to GUDAIR:
- Allow wound to bleed freely – DO NOT SQUEEZE
- Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water, keep it clean and dry
- CONSULT WITH A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY, even if it is only a small amount injected/exposed, and take the vaccine carton with the label insert, or take the GUDAIR Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- You (or your doctor) should also call Zoetis on 1800 814 883 or the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26
Needle stick injuries must be medically assessed to determine whether surgical intervention is required, so it’s imperative that individuals with these injuries are referred to an appropriate surgeon (referred by your GP) as soon as possible. It is also important to check that your tetanus immunisation status is up to date.
Vaccination for prevention of OJD in sheep is such an important component of sheep health and welfare management; so please don’t be apprehensive about incorporating the practice into your business. However, it is very important that all safety measures are employed, and in the case of injury be sure to take swift and appropriate action.
For more information, please contact Stock Sense on email at [email protected]
FURTHER LINKS
Zoetis
Disclaimer:
All care is taken in the preparation of the information and published materials produced by the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) including but not limited to errors, defects or omissions in the information provided. VFF does not make any representations or give any warranties about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or suitability for any particular purpose in the preparation of the information and published materials. This publication is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, investment, production, or marketing advice. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the VFF and all persons acting on behalf of the VFF in preparing documents, are excluded from all and any liability for any loss or damage of any kind arising in relation to this publication including any reliance on the information contained herein.
TAKE HOME MESSAGES:
- For any needle stick injury with this vaccine, get to a doctor immediately WITH the vaccine carton and package inset and/or the SDS document (link below)
- You can also call the Poison Information Centre on 13 11 26, or Zoetis on 1800 814 883.
- Don’t be afraid to vaccinate, but do take appropriate precautions, and seek appropriate help if self-vaccination occurs.