Superior protection conferred by inactivated whole virus vaccine over subunit and DNA vaccines against salmonid alphavirus infection in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

► Inactivated whole virus (IWV) vaccine confers protection against pancreas disease. ► IWV vaccines protect against pathology after experimental challenge. ► Subunit spike protein vaccines confers moderate protection against pancreas disease. ► IWV and subunit E2 vaccines induce circulating, neutralizing antibodies. ► DNA vaccines are not protective against lethal challenge.