The present invention relates inter alia to the use of a combination of a vaccine against Lawsonia intracellularis and an anti-Lawsonia antibiotic for the prevention or reduction of early, preferably fulminant Lawsonia intracellularis infections. The present invention relates particularly to the use of a live Lawsonia intracellularis vaccine in conjunction with an antibiotic that is effective against Lawsonia intracellularis, for the avoidance or reduction of early Lawsonia intracellularis infections in animals.