How efficacious are vaccines against bovine respiratory syncytial virus in cattle?

•Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) is a paramyxovirus.•BRSV is the major cause of pneumonia in calves.•Vaccines for this important pathogen have been available since the late 1970’s.•Commerical whole virus modified-live vaccines are available for intranasal and parenteral delivery; inactivated for parenteral delivery.•Vaccines have demonstrated variable efficacy in disease reduction in challenge models, and to some extent in the field. Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) is a paramyxovirus that is the major cause of pneumonia in calves. Vaccines for this important pathogen have been available since the late 1970’s. This review is a critical assessment of the literature including, experimental challenge studies and field trials, that address the efficacy of commonly used vaccines to control respiratory disease caused by BRSV.