Newly revised AAEP vaccination guidelines

[Margo_C-T]

The other post about multiple vaccines reminded me that I meant to bring this up; the link listed below was posted on another horse-oriented Forum I frequent; I found it both interesting and enlightening, and am seriously considering some adjustments to my own vaccination program with these newly-formulated guidelines in mind...I may quit 'worrying' about giving a multiple that includes Venezuelan EE, and, I may also not give a multiple that routinely includes flu and rhino, but instead, give a (separate) flu/rhino combo ONLY to those horses that will travel somewhere. I have NO horse under the age of 7, do not breed, do not have horses in and out of the premises. You will notice that the flu and rhino vaccinations are not mentioned as 'core' vaccines in the guidelines, although rabies is; I have never given rabies vaccines to horses, and do not know that I will start, as rabies is seldom an issue in my part of the country.

I highly recommend reading this. I was especially interested in what it had to say about the adjuvant in (most)vaccines,and its importance/function--and in the excellent explanation about the various West Nile vaccines.

FWIW--I am not a believer in giving a multiple vaccine that includes West Nile-if for no other reason, it would seem that the original, Ft. Dodge-made West Nile vaccine(which is the only one being packaged in a multiple vaccine)is likely the least effective one for West Nile, now that the other two are available.

The link is: www.aaep.org/vaccination_guidelines.htm .

Margo

 

[JourneysEnd]

Why would the Ft. Dodge WNV be the least effective?

It certainly seems to have worked. We don't seem to have cases of west nile in horses which have been properly vaccinated.

At least I'm not hearing of any and I have over 300 horses on my books.

Thanks for the link.

This is the info on the site about WNV. From the way I understand it, they're saying the Ft. Dodge vaccine is 95% effective where the other is only 90% effective.

Am I understanding this correctly?

I did not realize that EEE & WEE cross protected for VEE, so I'm going to stop the VEE.

Following is from the AAEP site regarding WNV.

Three licensed vaccines are currently available:

Inactivated whole virus vaccine with an adjuvant. Label instructions call for an initial series of two intramuscular injections administered 3 to 6 weeks apart followed by a 12-month revaccination interval.

This vaccine was tested in a needle challenge model and 95% of vaccinated horses were considered protected based on their failure to develop viremia when challenged 12 months post-vaccination. The product is labeled as an aid in protection against WNV viremia. Severe encephalitis was not observed in horses challenged intrathecally 28-days after vaccination.Recombinant vector vaccine with protective antigens expressed in a canary pox vector which does not replicate in the horse. The vaccine contains an adjuvant.Label instructions call for an initial series of two intramuscular injections administered 3 to 6 weeks apart followed by a 12 month revaccination interval. The product is labeled as an aid in protection against WNV viremia.

Additional studies with canary pox vector vaccine have been performed and have demonstrated:

Initial efficacy studies utilized the mosquito challenge model and 90% of horses were protected against viremia for a duration of 12 months. For horses previously vaccinated with another product, revaccination with a single dose of this product induced an antibody response. Vaccines can be interchanged without repeating primary inoculation. Naïve horses, having received a single dose of the vaccine, and subsequently challenged 28 days post- vaccination were protected from viremia. 90% of vaccinated horses were protected when challenged by the intrathecal model 2 weeks after vaccination. Severe encephalitis was not observed in horses challenged intrathecally 28 days after vaccination.

 

[Margo_C-T]

To clarify: I am basing what is strictly my opinion on what I recall of recommendations, admittedly several years old, that horses in warmer climates where mosquitoes were more of a problem for more of the year, to revaccinate w/ the original(the one made by Ft. Dodge)more often than once yearly(after the initial series of two)--that appeared to me to mean that at the least, more frequent revaccinations would be needed for full efficacy of the vaccine...perhaps those recommendations have changed, though. The adjuvant in the Ft.Dodge vaccines seems also to have an anecdotal history of possibly being the cause of some reaction problems. I am going to look into using the new 'Preventile' WN vaccine this year, myself--and I still am not going to use the Ft. Dodge multiple that includes their West Nile-but that's my personal choice-those who feel differently should do what suits them,of course. I did read what the AAEP site had to say; it sounds as if all three current vaccines for West Nile are considered very effective. I just don't choose the one from Ft. Dodge, now that there are alternatives that I personally feel are just as good, if not better.

Margo

 

[bevann]

I used the new vaccine(Prevenile) by Intervet in 2007 and was very happy.No bad reactions and from what I have read it acts quicker than some of the others.I live in southern Delaware with lots of mosquitoes and the vaccine is made about 30 miles from my home. I plan to use it again this year.

 

[Jill]

Thank you for sharing this link with us

 

[Lisa Strass]

Great reading, Margo. Thank you for posting this link!

 

[MountainViewMiniatures]

Thanks so much for the link - much appreciated

I would pretty much rethink the Rabies if I was you though- I lived in New Mexico and rabies was a problem- my father was almost attacked by a pack of feral dogs (several were rabid when the pack was destroyed and tested), the dog warden was bitten by a rabid raccoon and a friend bitten by a rabid cat in the 3 years I lived there - Regardless the fact that rabies has pretty much a 100% fatality rate would prompt me to vaccinate. Check with your state's disease and control or maybe the Ag dept to find out the stats. Remember too, rabies cycles with some years seemingly rabies free.

Truthfully also a major reason to vaccinate is the fact that they can transmit the disease to you or someone else - I know a 8 yr old girl that was bitten by a pony in the early stages of rabies and never did show classic signs that died because it was too late -that's just not worth to me. Usually you are not allowed to vaccinate your own but must be done by your Vet - again, need to check your state laws, But, even if you can vaccinate your animals yourself you would need a prescription from a Vet in order to purchase the vaccine.

Thanks again for the site -

 

[Bess Kelly]

Not all states restrict buying rabies vaccines. In VA you can buy it without RX. However, VA requires vet proof of vaccination for your dogs.

So horses not an issue, dogs are to have the vet do & certify.

Of course, the only time that certification is checked is if there is "trouble"......a bite, a loose animal picked up, a complaint, etc. The penalty is a ticket & fine, for just non-compliance.

 

[lotsofspots]

I have also re-evaluated my vaccination program in the last few years. Remember, of all these things we vaccinate for, Rabies is the one sure thing that is fatal! I vaccinate for Rabies here in Florida when the horses are old enough (I have heard it is not recommended until they are a year old)--and I am always on pins and needles until they can be done. I have never had a reaction to the Rabies vaccine, whether given by a vet or myself (and, we can obtain the Rabies vaccine without a prescription). I do not vaccinate routinely every year but do every 18 months or so, as I have heard that Rabies is effective for longer than a year . Any time I don't have to put my horses through unnecessary procedures, I'll do it

. If I don't have exposure to certain thnigs, I don't vaccinate....I do not do flu/rhino, Potomomac, EPM or Strangles either. We have tons of mosquitoes here so I usually do the EWT/WN every six months...but if we have had a very dry year and there aren't many mosquitoes, I will wait and do it before rainy season. Everyone's situation is different, and it can be confusing when trying to do what is best.