Abstract: The invention provides an improved Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin vaccine composition, which advantageously provides immunity from infection after a single administration. The composition comprises an inactivated Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin and an adjuvant mixture, which, in combination, provide immunity from Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection after a single administration, and elicit an immune response specific to Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin and including cell-mediated immunity and local (secretory IgA) immunity. In a preferred embodiment, the adjuvant mixture comprises an acrylic acid polymer, most preferably Carbopol, and a mixture of a metabolizable oil such as one or more unsaturated terpene hydrocarbons, preferably squalene or squalane, and a polyoxyethylene-polypropylene block copolymer such as Pluronic®. The vaccine composition may optionally include a preservative, preferably thimerosol and/or EDTA.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods and compositions both for providing protection against disease in an animal and for inducing increased intake of an orally administered vaccine by an animal. The methods of the invention are directed to admixing a bacterial or viral antigen with a water soluble palatable flavorant, further admixing the antigen and flavorant mixture with a water soluble vehicle for oral administration of the vaccine to an animal in order to provide protection against disease associated with infection by the admixed antigen and to induce the increased intake of the vaccine with the flavorant. The present invention thus encompasses methods and compositions for the oral vaccination of healthy animals through drinking water or syrups as an aid in the prevention of disease.