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Vaccination Schedule Template for Beef Cattle

A customizable vaccination schedule template for planning and tracking herd vaccinations by animal class, with inventory tracking and handling reminders.

RanchSafety Team January 20, 2026 5 min read
In This Article

Instructions

This template helps you plan and track vaccinations for your herd. Work with your veterinarian to select the right vaccines based on local disease risks. Think of this as a framework, not a prescription. Your specific program should be customized to fit your operation.

Section 1: Herd Vaccination Program Overview

Operation Information

FieldYour Information
Ranch/Operation Name
Address
Primary Contact
Veterinarian
Vet Phone
Date Program Created
Last Updated

Program Goals

  • [ ] Protect against respiratory disease (BRD complex)
  • [ ] Prevent clostridial diseases (blackleg, etc.)
  • [ ] Control reproductive diseases
  • [ ] Meet marketing program requirements
  • [ ] Other: _______________________

Section 2: Core Vaccine Schedule by Animal Class

Nursing Calves

Age/TimingVaccine TypeBrand UsedNotes
2-4 months7-way ClostridialFirst dose
2-4 months5-way Viral (IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV, Lepto)First dose (optional if calves will receive at weaning)
Pre-weaning (2-4 weeks before weaning)7-way ClostridialBooster
Pre-weaning5-way ViralFirst or booster dose
Pre-weaningMannheimia/PasteurellaIf high respiratory risk

Weaned Calves / Backgrounding

TimingVaccine TypeBrand UsedNotes
At weaning (or upon receiving)7-way ClostridialBooster
At weaning5-way ViralBooster
At weaningMannheimia/PasteurellaBooster if pre-vaccinated
2-3 weeks post-weaning5-way ViralBooster if needed
2-3 weeks post-weaningMannheimia/PasteurellaSecond dose

Replacement Heifers

TimingVaccine TypeBrand UsedNotes
Prior to breeding5-way Viral (with Lepto)Modified live
Prior to breedingVibrio/CampylobacterIf venereal disease risk
Prior to breedingTrich vaccineIf endemic area
Pre-calving (30-60 days)Scours vaccineE. coli, Corona, Rota
Annual booster7-way Clostridial
Annual boosterLeptospirosis

Mature Cow Herd

TimingVaccine TypeBrand UsedNotes
Pre-breeding (30+ days)5-way ViralModified live OK for open cows
Pre-breedingVibrio/CampylobacterIf using natural service
Pre-breedingLepto 5-wayAnnual
Pre-calving (4-8 weeks)Scours vaccineE. coli, Corona, Rota
Pre-calvingClostridialIf not done at pre-breeding
Annual7-way Clostridial

Bulls

TimingVaccine TypeBrand UsedNotes
Pre-breeding (30+ days)5-way ViralAnnual
Pre-breedingVibrio/CampylobacterIf venereal disease risk
Pre-breedingLepto 5-wayAnnual
Annual7-way Clostridial

Section 3: Annual Calendar View

January

WeekAnimal ClassVaccines DueCompleted
1[ ]
2[ ]
3[ ]
4[ ]

February

WeekAnimal ClassVaccines DueCompleted
1[ ]
2[ ]
3[ ]
4[ ]

March

WeekAnimal ClassVaccines DueCompleted
1[ ]
2[ ]
3[ ]
4[ ]

April

WeekAnimal ClassVaccines DueCompleted
1[ ]
2[ ]
3[ ]
4[ ]

May

WeekAnimal ClassVaccines DueCompleted
1[ ]
2[ ]
3[ ]
4[ ]

June

WeekAnimal ClassVaccines DueCompleted
1[ ]
2[ ]
3[ ]
4[ ]

July

WeekAnimal ClassVaccines DueCompleted
1[ ]
2[ ]
3[ ]
4[ ]

August

WeekAnimal ClassVaccines DueCompleted
1[ ]
2[ ]
3[ ]
4[ ]

September

WeekAnimal ClassVaccines DueCompleted
1[ ]
2[ ]
3[ ]
4[ ]

October

WeekAnimal ClassVaccines DueCompleted
1[ ]
2[ ]
3[ ]
4[ ]

November

WeekAnimal ClassVaccines DueCompleted
1[ ]
2[ ]
3[ ]
4[ ]

December

WeekAnimal ClassVaccines DueCompleted
1[ ]
2[ ]
3[ ]
4[ ]

Section 4: Vaccine Inventory & Suppliers

Current Inventory

Vaccine NameLot #ExpirationDoses On HandReorder Point

Supplier Information

ProductSupplierContactAccount #Notes

Section 5: Vaccine Handling Reminders

Storage Requirements

Vaccine TypeTemperatureLightNotes
Modified Live (MLV)35-45°FProtect from lightUse within 1-2 hours of mixing
Killed35-45°FProtect from lightDon't freeze
Toxoids35-45°FProtect from lightDon't freeze

Handling Best Practices Checklist

  • [ ] Verify vaccine is not expired
  • [ ] Review label for dose, route, withdrawal
  • [ ] Calculate doses needed plus extras
  • [ ] Clean and check equipment (syringes, needles)
  • [ ] Mix only what can be used in 1 hour (MLV)
  • [ ] Use clean needles (change every 10-15 animals)
  • [ ] Proper injection site (neck preferred)
  • [ ] Proper injection depth (IM or SQ as labeled)
  • [ ] Avoid injecting into same site
  • [ ] Return unused vials to refrigerator
  • [ ] Record vaccines given
  • [ ] Clean and store equipment

Section 6: Injection Site Guidelines

Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Approved Sites

The neck (in front of the shoulder) is the preferred injection site. It causes less carcass impact and is the industry standard. The rump or hindquarter should only be used if truly necessary.

Injection Methods

TypeNeedle SizeAngleDepth
Subcutaneous (SQ)16-18 ga, 1/2-3/4"45°Under skin
Intramuscular (IM)16-18 ga, 1-1.5"90°Into muscle

Maximum Volume per Site

Injection TypeMaximum per Site
Subcutaneous10 mL
Intramuscular10 mL

Section 7: Withdrawal Times Quick Reference

Vaccine TypeTypical WithdrawalNotes
Most vaccines21 daysCheck individual labels
Some killed vaccines0 daysVerify on label
Certain MLV vaccines21-60 daysLabel specific

Section 8: Individual Animal Records

Animal ID: ____________

DateVaccine GivenLot #RouteSiteGiven ByReaction?

Animal ID: ____________

DateVaccine GivenLot #RouteSiteGiven ByReaction?

Section 9: Common Vaccine Types Reference

Clostridial Vaccines

VaccineProtects Against
7-wayBlackleg, malignant edema, black disease, red water, overeating disease (enterotoxemia), sudden death
8-wayAbove + tetanus
With SomnusAbove + Histophilus somni

Respiratory Vaccines

ComponentDisease
IBRInfectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis
BVDBovine Viral Diarrhea
PI3Parainfluenza-3
BRSVBovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus
MannheimiaMannheimia haemolytica (Shipping fever)
PasteurellaPasteurella multocida

Reproductive Vaccines

VaccineDisease/Purpose
Lepto 5-wayLeptospirosis (multiple serovars)
VibrioCampylobacteriosis (venereal disease)
TrichTrichomoniasis (venereal disease)
BVDReproductive protection

Calf Scours Vaccines (Given to Cows Pre-Calving)

ComponentDisease
E. coliBacterial scours
CoronavirusViral scours
RotavirusViral scours
C. perfringensClostridial enteritis

Section 10: Program Review

Annual Review Checklist

  • [ ] Review disease incidents from past year
  • [ ] Evaluate vaccine efficacy
  • [ ] Check for new vaccine options
  • [ ] Update program with veterinarian
  • [ ] Review handling and storage procedures
  • [ ] Update inventory and supplier information
  • [ ] Train new personnel on procedures

Notes/Changes for Next Year:

_______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________

Vaccination Schedule Template | AnimalSafeRanch.com Customize with your veterinarian for your operation Version 1.0 | January 2026

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