COMPILED BY THE VACCINATION GUIDELINES GROUP (VGG) OF THE WORLD SMALL ANIMAL VETERINARY ASSOCIATION (WSAVA)

The WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines Group (VGG) was convened in order to develop guidelines for the vaccination of dogs and cats that have global application. The VGG acknowledges the valuable foundation to their deliberations provided by the recent canine and feline vaccine guidelines from the United States of America (USA). The VGG recognises that the keeping of pet small animals is subject to significant variation in practice and associated economics throughout the world, and that vaccination recommendations that might apply to a developed country, may not be appropriate for a developing country. Despite this, the VGG strongly recommends that wherever possible ALL dogs and cats receive the benefit of vaccination. This not only protects the individual animal, but provides optimum “herd immunity” that minimises the likelihood of outbreak of infectious disease. With this background in mind, the VGG has defined core vaccines which ALL dogs and cats, regardless of circumstances, should receive. Core vaccines protect animals from severe, life-threatening diseases which have global distribution. Core vaccines for dogs are those that protect from canine distemper virus (CDV), canine adenovirus (CAV) and canine parvovirus (CPV). Core vaccines for cats are those that protect from feline parvovirus (FPV), feline calicivirus (FCV) and feline herpesvirus (FHV). In areas of the world where rabies virus infection is endemic, vaccination against this agent should be considered core for both species, even if there is no legal requirement for routine vaccination. The VGG recognises that maternally derived antibody (MDA) significantly interferes with the efficacy of most current core vaccines administered to pups and kittens in early life. As the level of MDA varies significantly between litters, the VGG recommends the administration of three vaccine doses to pups and kittens, with the final of these being delivered at 16 weeks of age or above. In cultural or financial situations where a pet animal may only be permitted the benefit of a single vaccination, that vaccination should be with core vaccines at 16 weeks of age or above. The VGG supports the development and use of simple in-practice tests for determination of sero-conversion (antibody) following vaccination. Vaccines should not be given needlessly. Core vaccines should not be given any more frequently than every three years after the 12 month booster injection following the puppy/kitten series. The VGG has defined non-core vaccines as those that are required by only those animals whose geographical location, local environment or lifestyle places them at risk of contracting specific infections. The VGG has also classified some vaccines as not recommended (where there is insufficient scientific evidence to justify their use) and has not considered a number of minority products which have restricted geographical availability or application. The VGG strongly supports the concept of the “annual health check” which removes the emphasis from, and client expectation of, annual revaccination. The annual health check may still encompass administration of selected non-core vaccines which are generally administered annually. The VGG has considered the use of vaccines in the shelter environment, again recognising the particular nature of such establishments and the financial constraints under which they operate. The VGG minimum shelter guidelines are simple: that all dogs and cats entering such an establishment should be vaccinated before, or at the time of entry, with core vaccine only. Where finances permit, repeated core vaccination should be administered as per the schedules defined in the guidelines. The VGG recognises the importance of adverse reaction reporting schemes but understands that these are variably developed in different countries. Wherever possible, veterinarians should be actively encouraged to report all possible adverse events to the manufacturer and/or regulatory authority to expand the knowledge base that drives development of improved vaccine safety. These fundamental concepts proposed by the VGG may be encapsulated in the single strap-line: We should aim to vaccinate every animal, and to vaccinate each individual less frequently One of the greatest successes of modern veterinary science has been the control of infectious disease through the development and implementation of vaccination programmes. This success is typified by the rapid decline in the prevalence of key canine infectious diseases (caused by canine distemper virus [CDV], canine adenovirus [CAV] and canine parvovirus [CPV]) following the introduction of efficacious modified live virus vaccines. Similar effects relate to the introduction of feline vaccines, with clear reduction in mortality caused by feline parvovirus (FPV; feline panleukopenia) and morbidity caused by feline calicivirus (FCV) and herpesvirus (FHV) infections. However, the success of these vaccines cannot be a cause for complacency, and indeed vaccine-related issues have featured high on the agenda of the veterinary profession over the past decade. There are many challenges remaining in small animal vaccinology, and in 2006 the WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines Group (VGG) was convened with the specific remit of taking a global perspective on issues surrounding the practice of vaccination of dogs and cats. The VGG has met formally on three occasions and corresponded electronically between these meetings, and this document is the result of these deliberations. The VGG guidelines are built on those developed by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Canine Vaccine Task Force and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) Feline Vaccine Advisory Panel. Based upon a consensus among experts, these recommendations reflect a combination of opinion, experience, and scientific data, published and unpublished. The present vaccination guidelines are intended for the general veterinary practice and the shelter environment; they do not represent a standard of care or set of legal parameters. They have been drafted with the objective of educating and informing the profession and to recommend rational vaccine use for individual pets and dog/cat populations. If vaccination has been so successful, then why is it necessary to continually re-evaluate vaccination practice? There is little doubt that in most developed countries the major infectious diseases of dogs and cats are considered at best uncommon in the pet population, but there do remain geographical pockets of infection and sporadic outbreaks of disease occur, and the situation regarding feral or shelter populations is distinctly different to that in owned pet animals. However, in many developing countries these key infectious diseases remain as common as they once were in developed nations and a major cause of mortality in small animals. Although it is difficult to obtain accurate figures, even in developed countries it is estimated that only 30 – 50% of the pet animal population is vaccinated, and this is significantly less in developing nations. In small animal medicine, we have been slow to grasp the concept of ‘herd immunity’– that vaccination of individual pet animals is important, not only to protect the individual, but to reduce the number of susceptible animals in the regional population, and thus the prevalence of disease. A second major concept regarding vaccination of dogs and cats has been the recognition that we should aim to reduce the ‘vaccine load’ on individual animals in order to minimise the potential for adverse reactions to vaccine products. For that reason we have seen the development of vaccination guidelines based on a rational analysis of the vaccine requirements for each pet, and the proposal that vaccines be considered ‘core’ and ‘non-core’ in nature. To an extent this categorisation of products has been based on available scientific evidence and personal experience – but concerted effort to introduce effective companion animal disease surveillance on a global scale would provide a more definitive basis on which to recommend vaccine usage. In parallel with the categorisation of vaccines has been the push towards marketing products with extended duration of immunity (DOI), to reduce the unnecessary administration of vaccines and thereby further improve vaccine safety. Both of these changes have necessitated a frame-shift in the mindset of veterinary practitioners in a culture in which both veterinarian and client have become subservient to the mantra of annual vaccination. The following VGG guidelines are prepared when considering the optimum model of a committed pet owner, willing and able to bring their animal to the veterinarian, for the full recommended course of vaccination. The VGG is aware that there are less committed pet owners and countries where severe financial constraints will determine the nature of the vaccine course that will be administered. In situations where, for example, a decision must be made that an individual pet may have to receive only a single core vaccination during its lifetime, the VGG would emphasise that this should optimally be given at a time when that animal is most capable of responding immunologically, i.e. at the age of 16 weeks or greater. The VGG has additionally considered vaccination in the shelter situation. The guidelines that we have proposed are those that we consider provides the optimum level of protection for these highly susceptible animals. The VGG also recognises that many shelters run with limited financial support which may constrain the extent of vaccination used. The minimum vaccination protocol in this situation would be a single administration of core vaccines at or before the time of admission to the shelter. This document seeks to address these current issues in canine and feline vaccinology, and to suggest practical measures by which the veterinary profession may move towards more rational use of vaccination in these species. The most important message of the VGG is therefore encapsulated in the single strap-line: We should aim to vaccinate every animal, and to vaccinate each individual less frequently Guidelines and recommendations for core (recommended), non-core (optional), and not recommended vaccines for the general veterinary practice are given in Table 1. The VGG considers that a core vaccine is one that all puppies throughout the world must receive in order to provide protection against infectious diseases of global significance. The VGG recognises that particular countries will identify additional vaccines that they consider core. A particular example of a vaccine that may be considered core in only some countries is that against rabies virus. In a geographical area in which this infection is endemic all dogs should be routinely vaccinated for the protection of both the pet and human populations. In some countries, mandatory rabies vaccination is a legal requirement, and is generally also required for international pet travel. Non-core vaccines are those that are licensed for the dog and whose use is determined on the basis of the animal’s geographical and lifestyle exposure and an assessment of risk-benefit ratios. Not recommended vaccines are those for which there is little scientific justification for their use. Most pups are protected by maternally derived antibodies (MDA) in the first weeks of life. In general, passive immunity will have waned by 8 to 12 weeks of age to a level that allows active immunisation. Pups with poor MDA may be vulnerable (and capable of responding to vaccination) at an earlier age, while others may possess MDA at such high titres that they are incapable of responding to vaccination until ≥12 weeks of age. No single primary vaccination policy will therefore cover all possible situations. The recommendation of the VGG is for initial vaccination at 8 to 9 weeks of age followed by a second vaccination 3 to 4 weeks later, and a third vaccination given between 14 to 16 weeks of age. By contrast, at present many vaccine data sheets recommend an initial course of two injections. Some products are also licensed with a ‘10 week finish’ designed such that the second of two vaccinations is given at 10 weeks of age. The rationale behind this protocol is to permit ‘early socialisation’ of pups. The VGG recognises that this is of great benefit to the behavioural development of dogs. Where such protocols are adopted, great caution should still be maintained by the owner – allowing restricted exposure of the pup to controlled areas and only to other pups that are healthy and fully vaccinated. In immunological terms, the repeated injections given to pups in their first of do not They are to a primary by the virus modified live virus an animal of where it must to be by an and and In the of vaccines, MDA may also with this immunological by to and the dogs should receive a first booster 12 after of the primary vaccination The VGG the protocol as the of the pup this first The 12 month booster will also immunity for dogs that may not have to the pup vaccination that have to vaccination with core vaccines a immunity for many years in the of any vaccination. the 12 month are given at of three years or should be that the given do not generally apply to core vaccines to the vaccines, and not to vaccines and products more for tests are for immunity to canine canine and rabies virus. for and are the tests of greatest benefit in after the vaccination series. recent many have their for such There are legal requirements for rabies antibody for pet between some countries. will become more as as and are more A result that the animal has little or no and that is Some of these dogs are in and their would be A result on the other would to the that is not This is why must be provided by any With and/or an animal with a regardless of the should be considered as no antibody and susceptible to of the at 14 to 16 weeks of age, an animal should have a provided the is or more weeks after vaccination. animals should be and If it again tests it should be considered a that is incapable of developing for antibody is the only practical to that a has the Vaccines may for MDA the vaccine virus This is the most common reason for vaccination the vaccine is given at ≥12 weeks of age MDA should have to a and active will in most puppies The vaccine is may reflect a of from the of vaccine to administration to the For example, the virus its or in the of a particular of may be a cause of vaccine such as or and use) of the vaccine in the veterinary may result in of an The animal is a poor to the If an animal to develop an antibody after repeated it should be considered a immunological is controlled in other species, of dogs have been to be is that the high to in and during the of their vaccination was to a high prevalence of In the these two to have no of than other of the may have from This may not be for other countries. For example, in the and the Most vaccinated dogs will have a of antibody core vaccine for many this antibody the of a population of of immunological is the primary objective of vaccination. For core vaccines there is between the of antibody and immunity and there is for these products. This not for many of the non-core vaccines and the to these products more tests be to the after vaccination with core vaccines. is that dogs antibody to and for three or more years and support this when antibody is of the the dog should be there is a basis for not so to other vaccine are of limited of the time these antibodies or the of between antibody and protection canine in antibody tests are the and the time to obtain The VGG recognises that at present such has limited availability and might be However, the of veterinary would that for antibody pups or is practice than a vaccine booster on the basis that this should be and In to these more tests are being Guidelines and recommendations for core (recommended), non-core and not generally recommended vaccines for the general veterinary practice are given in Table A particular example of a vaccine that may be considered core in only some countries is that against rabies virus. In a geographical area in which this infection is endemic all cats should be routinely vaccinated for the protection of both the pet and human populations. In some countries, mandatory rabies vaccination is a legal requirement, and is generally also required for international pet travel. In of feline core vaccines it is important to that the protection by the feline calicivirus (FCV) and feline herpesvirus (FHV) vaccines will not provide the efficacy of immunity as seen with the feline vaccines. the feline core vaccines should not be to the the duration of as seen with canine core vaccines. Although the vaccines have been designed to immunity against severe there are of and it is possible for infection and disease to in the vaccinated With to it should be that there is no herpesvirus vaccine than protect against infection with and that virus will become and may be during of severe The virus may cause in the vaccinated animal or the virus be to susceptible animals and cause disease in As for most kittens are protected by MDA in the first weeks of life. However, the level of protection and the at which the will become susceptible to infection and/or to vaccination is This is to the level of antibody and variation in of MDA between In general, MDA will have waned by 8 to 12 weeks of age to a level that allows an active immunological and an initial vaccination at 8 to 9 weeks of age followed by a second vaccination 3 to 4 weeks is vaccines data recommendations to this However, kittens with poor MDA may be vulnerable (and capable of responding to vaccination) at an earlier age, while others may possess MDA at such high titres that they are incapable of responding to vaccination until after 12 weeks of age. the VGG the recent recommendation made in the guidelines of the final at 16 weeks or kittens should receive the core vaccines. A minimum of three doses – one at 8 to 9 weeks of age, a second 3 to 4 weeks and a final at 16 weeks of age or should be administered. that to core vaccines immunity for many in the of any vaccination. cats should receive a first booster 12 after of the vaccination course will immunity for cats that may not have to the primary this first are given at of three years or cats of vaccination should receive a single initial core vaccine injection followed by a booster vaccination one that have to vaccination with core vaccines a immunity for many years in the of any vaccination. should be that the given do not generally apply to core vaccines to the vaccines, and not to vaccines and products more for this in time there is limited availability of for antibody in the and tests for the of antibody in this are still under these are the VGG would their use in the as for the animal shelter is a for animals or by In general, animal shelters are by a population with a vaccination high population and high infectious disease The situations from that possess a population, to that of animals per to and that care for or at any given as the vaccination varies with each individual pet, there is no for shelter animals. The likelihood of exposure and the of infection a defined shelter vaccination from individual care in that it has to practice in an environment where of infectious disease cannot be is possible, to minimise the of a population and the health of not the is to healthy pets the time and effort to infectious disease is only one of many in the shelter and The recommendations provided to address some issues as they to vaccination and disease Guidelines and recommendations for vaccines to be in shelters are given in and If of vaccination is provided for an animal at the time of admission to a there is no reason to The VGG between a shelter and a The are where fully vaccinated animals may be for of time when owners are on should be a requirement of to any such that the individual dog or is fully vaccinated with core products given to the guidelines The use of non-core vaccines against is also appropriate under these In the veterinary practice has from the annual administration of vaccines. By owners to bring their pets for vaccination, veterinarians were able to and disease earlier than might have been the In the annual provided an to of important of canine and feline health many have to that vaccination is the most important reason for annual veterinary are that a reduction in vaccination will cause to the annual and that the of care will is therefore that veterinarians the importance of all of a health care should be on a vaccination a by the veterinarian, and The importance of appropriate and the control of and of diseases should also be during of each should be as as the for more of and animals. The health should the for non-core vaccines for the The should to the client the of vaccines their potential and and their to the particular animal, given its lifestyle and risk of an animal might not receive core vaccination every most non-core vaccines do annual administration – so owners will to their animal vaccinated annually. The regional and risk for infectious diseases should also be to reduce the of disease and to should also be should be considered as only one of a health care based on the age, health environment exposure to lifestyle with other and of the has a significant on the health care of any given have on and to and disease For the pet, care are and control assessment and should on an basis throughout the of the are to of and of disease significantly improve the of the animal’s life. with and also of and/or The development of protocols for diseases and which be in improve client pet The environment in which a pet its health and should be during annual health care in order to risk and develop appropriate By the extent to which dogs and cats with other animals in circumstances, veterinarians the for non-core that common and areas are at risk from infectious diseases than dogs that do not these as the human population has become more so has the pet population, in potential exposure to infectious and not in the past and during each allows for of care and the time of vaccine the following should be in the of vaccine or of the the vaccine or and manufacturer and of vaccine The use of vaccine and that the with the of a pet this of keeping which is mandatory in some countries. events should be in a that will all during should be in the in order to that was provided to the client and that the client the the this should that a of and to vaccination. events are defined as any effects or of associated with the administration of a vaccine They any or reaction associated with vaccination, or not the be to the events should be their with vaccination is or only A vaccine adverse report should identify the and in the and the individual the of vaccine is the most important by which the manufacturer and the regulatory are to potential vaccine or efficacy that may further The of is to common adverse adverse events will be only by surveillance through analysis of adverse events should be to the manufacturer and/or the local regulatory The VGG recognises that there is of adverse events which knowledge of the of these products. The VGG would actively all veterinarians to in such surveillance If a particular adverse is reporting to provide a against which be In adverse events to of of in recognition of risk associated with of vaccine with events or of adverse and further or veterinarians are encouraged to report any significant adverse during or after administration of any licensed a vaccine adverse is not an against a particular it of associated and to the of the The of the Vaccination Guidelines Group has been by The VGG is an of have these guidelines with

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