Pfizer set to launch new Inovoject machine

Pfizer Animal Health has developed a new, compact version of its Inovoject device, used to inject vaccines direct into fertile eggs.

“There has been a need for a smaller Inovoject for some time,” said senior marketing manager, Melinda Freson. “For smaller hatcheries, or those in developing countries that have traditionally relied on manual labour to vaccinate each bird, the availability of a system that is the right size for their hatchery will be a real breakthrough.”

The new Embrex Inovoject m is designed for a throughput of between 12,000 and 20,000 eggs per hour, compared with up to 70,000 eggs per hour for the full-sized machine. It is a semi-automatic system that allows trays of eggs to be both introduced and removed by an operator.

The new device also includes:

• A floating injection head that adjusts horizontally and vertically to ensure accurate vaccine delivery, whatever the size of egg

• Dual-needle injection tooling, ensuring gentle and accurate shell penetration

• Consistent needle sanitation between each injection.

“The Inovoject m has a number of operational advantages,” said Ms Freson. “Mot least the fact that chicks can be transferred out of the hatchery and into the grow-out environment sooner.”

Pfizer currently has about 600 full-sized devices in operation, though the vast majority are in the USA and Canada.

Full technical details for the smaller Inovoject m will be unveiled for the first time at the International Poultry Expo in Atlanta, Georgia, in January 2012.

Claimed benefits of in-ovo over subcutaneous vaccination

• Immunity against disease is generated as early as possible and with minimal interference from maternally derived antibodies

• Vaccine is delivered reliably and accurately in carefully controlled, hygienic conditions

• The process is less labour intensive and less prone to human error

• Chick handling is minimised, reducing bird stress and improving bird health

• Birds can be transferred out of the hatchery more quickly and grow-out conditions established sooner