Evaluation and comparison of immunogenicity and cross-protective efficacy of two inactivated cell culture-derived GIIa- and GIIb-genotype porcine epidemic diarrhea virus vaccines in suckling piglets.

•The cross-protective efficacy of genotype GIIa and GII2b PEDV strain-based vaccine candidates were first evaluated and compared.•Both vaccine candidates induced high levels of IgG antibodies,IFN-γ and reduced the levels of neutralizing antibodies in suckling piglets.•The genotype GIIa PEDV strain-based vaccine protected all piglets (8/8) against virulent homologous and heterologous virus challenge.