The onset and duration of immunity provided by a recombinant ND vaccine using HVT virus as vector (rHVT-ND) was followed up to 72 weeks of age in commercial layer chickens after single application or as part of two different vaccination regimes including conventional live and killed ND vaccines. Efficacy of the different vaccination programmes was checked, from 3 to 72 weeks of age, by serology as well as by challenges with a recent velogenic NDV isolate belonging to genotype VII. Assessment of protection was done based on the prevention of clinical signs and reduction of challenge virus shedding via the oro-nasal and cloacal routes.
Single vaccination with the rHVT-ND vaccine at one day of age provided complete or almost complete (95-100%) clinical protection against NDV challenges from 4 weeks of age up to 72 weeks of age when the latest challenge was done. Shedding of challenge virus both by the oro-nasal and cloacal route was significantly reduced compared to the controls. Booster vaccination of rHVT-ND vaccinated birds with conventional ND vaccines significantly increased the level of anti-NDV serum antibodies and further reduced the oro-nasal excretion of challenge virus.
