WSAVA Update on Vaccinations

This is the latest info from the WSAVA regarding frequency of vaccinations....

(I have highlighted a couple of important - to my mind - paragraphs)

Vaccination needed only ‘every three years’
Created: 12/06/2013

DOGS need not be vaccinated against infectious diseases more often than every three years, according to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), and possibly not that frequently.
 The Association has updated and abridged its vaccination guidelines for owners and vets, aiming to ensure that puppies and dogs are protected from infectious disease while reducing the number of vaccines given routinely.
 The WSAVA states that the three-year guide is often taken to mean that vaccinations should be administered every three years, but that is not the case.
 "If the dog is already immune to core diseases, re-vaccinating will not add any extra immunity,” the guidelines state.


Booster

"Core vaccines should not be given more frequently than every three years after the 12 month booster injection following the puppy/kitten series because the duration of immunity is known to be many years and may be up to the lifetime of the pet.”
 Core vaccines are those required by every dog to protect them from life-threatening diseases prevalent worldwide, such as parvovirus and distemper. These should be given less frequently by only giving non-core vaccines which are necessary for that particular animal.
 Non-core vaccines are those required only by animals whose geographical location, local environment or lifestyle places them at risk of contracting specific infections.
 The WSAVA said it supports strongly the concept of the ‘annual health check which removes the emphasis from, and client expectation of, annual re-vaccination’ and suggests that vaccination, if required, forms only one part of an annual veterinary visit which considers the entire health and wellbeing of the individual dog.


Parvovirus

The WSAVA also states that the last puppy vaccine against the core diseases should be given at 14-16 weeks of age. This is because, before this time, the mother passes immunity to her puppies, and this ‘maternal immunity’ can prevent the vaccine from working.
 "A high percentage – 98 per cent – of core puppy vaccines given between 14-16 weeks of age will provide immunity against parvovirus, distemper and adenovirus for many years, and probably for the life of the animal.”
 All dogs should receive a first booster for core vaccines 12 months after completion of the primary vaccination course. This will ensure immunity for dogs who may not have adequately responded to the puppy vaccinations, but it need not be done if a titre test shows the dog is protected adequately.
 "We support titre testing,” the WSAVA said. "This is where a small sample of blood is taken from the dog and checked for the presence of circulating antibodies which indicate that the dog is immune, and revaccination, with core vaccines, is not required.
 "A titre test can be done before giving the 12-month booster, as this may show that boosting is unnecessary.”
 The guidelines state that vaccines ‘should not be given needlessly’.
 "It is important to give as few vaccines as possible, while also ensuring that dogs are protected from life-threatening viral diseases,” the guidelines state. "We seek to reduce the number of vaccines given as there is always a risk of adverse reactions with any vaccination. The risk is considered small and we assert that the benefit of protecting your pet from life-threatening infections far outweighs the risk of adverse reaction – although any reaction to a vaccine that is not needed is unacceptable.”
 The non-core vaccines used commonly for dogs are for leptospirosis and kennel cough.
 Regarding the first vaccine, the WSAVA stated: "Vaccination should be restricted to use in geographical areas where a significant risk of exposure has been established or for dogs whose lifestyle places them at significant risk.
 "These dogs should be vaccinated at 12–16 weeks of age, with a second dose three to four weeks later, and then at intervals of nine to 12 months until the risk has been reduced.
 "This vaccine is the one least likely to provide adequate and prolonged protection, and therefore must be administered annually or more often for animals at high risk.
 "This product is associated with as many or more adverse reactions than occur for any other vaccine. In particular, vets are advised of reports of acute anaphylaxis in toy breeds following administration of leptospirosis vaccines.
 "Routine vaccination of toy breeds should only be considered in dogs known to have a very high risk of exposure.”
Kennel cough vaccines are generally required only by dogs in close contact with other dogs – for example in boarding kennels. "But check your kennel first,” the WSAVA said.


‘Lifelong immunity’

Catherine O’Driscoll of the group Canine Health Concern, worked with Dr Ronald Schultz and Dr Michael Day of the WSAVA vaccine guidelines group.
 "We came up with something that pretty well summarises the fuller WSAVA guidelines document, and also clarifies some general misunderstandings,” she said. "For example, many take the ‘vaccinate against the core diseases no more frequently than every three years’ advice from the WSAVA to mean that they need to vaccinate every three years.  This is not the case – in most cases immunity is lifelong, and re-vaccination will confer no benefits. I was delighted that they agreed to make this emphasis.
 "Also, most vets in the UK advocate annual vaccination against leptospirosis, and the summary makes it clear that, due to the rarity of lepto in the UK, and the inadequacies and risks of the vaccine, dog owners may choose not to use the lepto vaccine.
 "Canine Health Concern will be making a broader document available which incorporates the WSAVA summary, with information about the alternatives.”


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great post Caryll got to take Tommy for his booster in the next week or so , then Tilly would be due her 3rd year in August so going to as Ralf about this and see what his response is , I know the facts now and his reaction tells me whether its about the animals or the money

Does anybody know out of interest whether the pet insurance companies agree with this as well though , may be worth a call ??

I obviously don't vaccinate. Period.

But p@h are pretty good on vax Dave, with me i have my same insurance but they aren't covered for anything they caught that would have been prevented with a vax, but i am sure they said that you still get your cover if you give them a booster every 3 years

Most insurance companies are coming round, and even a few are now accepting nosodes

Dave wrote:Does anybody know out of interest whether the pet insurance companies agree with this as well though , may be worth a call ??

You need to read your policy.

Some say that you need to vaccinate according to your vet's recommendations, but if you don't they won't cover any illness covered by vaccinations.

Some say that you must vaccinate regularly or you won't be covered at all.

You really do need to talk to your vet & read your policy carefully.