Vaccination shelf life

[susanne]

Assuming, of course, that the vaccination is stored at the proper temperature, what are the recommended shelf lives of common vaccinations?

(And just to be clear, I take no actions without clearing it with our vet...but I'm curious...)

A preliminary Google search brought a variety of articles with a range of 3 months to 3 years...quite a difference. I know that recent studies have shown that immunity lasts longer than previously believed, and one article suggested that shelf life recommendations have also changed.

So...what guidelines do you follow?

 

[Miniv]

Hey Susanne -- What does the bottle say for an expiration date??? That's usually a good thing to go by.

:

(Our vet has quietly told us that if the vaccine was stored properly, it can still be viable for up to a year after the expiration date, btw.) Shhhh.....don't tell anyone I told you that!

MA

 

[Jill]

MA, I have heard the same as you, one year after expiration... Fact is, I have some 5/05 syringes in my fridge. I know they have been properly stored BUT I am probably too much of a chicken to do anything other than pitch them on out.

 

[Petvet]

Speaking as a veterinarian and a horseman, if the vaccine has gone past its printed expiration date (they all have one) you shouldn't use it. It is more a matter of whether the vaccine will provide adequate immunity rather than if the injection itself of an expired vaccine would be harmful.

Some of our vaccines will have a longer shelf life if properly stored, but some absolutely do not.

Vaccine efficacy is a tricky thing at best, and can be affected by temperature, light, time, proper boosters, etc. To ensure that your horse is getting as much immunity as it possibly can, you should only use an in-date vaccine.

There are sad tales out there that we vets hear from other vets who made mistakes with vaccines like this (usually trying to use up vaccine stock on hand) and ended up having animals (horses and others) who paid the price by coming down with diseases they had supposedly been properly vaccinated against. Don't know if this is helpful for you, but thought I'd share with you.

 

[starleemay]

I always go in with my horsey friends and buy the 10 dose vials. That way its cheaper. :aktion033: I also only buy enough for what I will use within the year. :saludando:

 

[Songcatcher]

Speaking as a veterinarian and a horseman, if the vaccine has gone past its printed expiration date (they all have one) you shouldn't use it. It is more a matter of whether the vaccine will provide adequate immunity rather than if the injection itself of an expired vaccine would be harmful.

Some of our vaccines will have a longer shelf life if properly stored, but some absolutely do not.

Vaccine efficacy is a tricky thing at best, and can be affected by temperature, light, time, proper boosters, etc. To ensure that your horse is getting as much immunity as it possibly can, you should only use an in-date vaccine.

There are sad tales out there that we vets hear from other vets who made mistakes with vaccines like this (usually trying to use up vaccine stock on hand) and ended up having animals (horses and others) who paid the price by coming down with diseases they had supposedly been properly vaccinated against. Don't know if this is helpful for you, but thought I'd share with you.

I want to say thanks for your reply and welcome to the Forum. Its nice to have another vet on board.

 

[stormy]

Just a few things to note on vaccine storage. If you have a multidose vial and have used some of it, the rest should be considered contaminated and not kept for future use especially if you inject air into the bottle to make it easier to fill a syringe. If you are storing in the frig opening and closing the refrigerator door varies the temperature and also exposes the vaccine to light (Unless stored in a dark container) and shortens the shelf life. Single dose syringes should not be kept in storage for long periods of time as they are not entirely air tight, the rubber in the syringe also tends to harden and can allow air exchange/contamination.

I guess my question would be why take the risk?

 

[Margo_C-T]

I agree about not 'pushing the envelope' on vaccines-that is, using them after their expiration date, no matter how they have been stored. Proper points have been made about the likelihood of lack of efficacy in such vaccines. I do store mine in a dark box in the fridge, always. When filling syringes(right before actual use)from a 10 dose vial, I use only one needle, carefully and without touching contact parts, attaching each syringe, filling, then detaching and putting a new needle on each syringe. The 'filling' syringe then stays on the final syringe filled.

It has been my experience that under careful handling and storage(see above), that other meds, such as banamine and rompun, can be effective well after their package expiration dates. On advice of my vet, I have successfully used the aforementioned two meds-again, though, much depends on how they were previously used AND stored. You should always consult your vet,though, before attempting such use, IMO.

 

[Michelle@wescofarms]

Just a few things to note on vaccine storage. If you have a multidose vial and have used some of it, the rest should be considered contaminated and not kept for future use especially if you inject air into the bottle to make it easier to fill a syringe. If you are storing in the frig opening and closing the refrigerator door varies the temperature and also exposes the vaccine to light (Unless stored in a dark container) and shortens the shelf life. Single dose syringes should not be kept in storage for long periods of time as they are not entirely air tight, the rubber in the syringe also tends to harden and can allow air exchange/contamination.

That is interesting. I hadn't realized light effected the efficiency so much. I wonder why the manufacturers (Ft. Dodge at least) has gone from the box to a plastic pouch for the 10 dose vial. We do keep ours refrigerated, and I keep all filled syringes in a zip lock baggie (10-24 hours before administering).

Thanks for sharing this information!

As a follow up question to vaccines - why do we give the same dose to a mini (100+lb yearling) as a large draft horse? I was discussing this with another breeder earlier today and haven't really researched the subject. I know it isn't a weight related med like antibiotics, dewormer, but why isn't a 1/2 or 1/3 dose give to smaller equines?

What is the science behind the dosage, is my question if anyone knows.