Vaccine use and disease prevalence in dogs and cats.
A yearly revaccination of adult pets against distemper, the adenoviral and parvoviral diseases is scientifically unwarranted, professionally obsolete and ethically questionable; other vaccinal antigens, however, may need yearly or even more frequent injections. Base immunisation is redefined: it is complete only after the multivalent booster in the second year of life. A yearly revaccination interview, not necessarily an injection, should become the new standard. This interview is a professional service that must be taught, expertly performed and invoiced. Adult animals should be "vaccinated to measure", taking age, breed, lifestyle, the epidemiologic situation, etc. into account. Post-vaccination serology should become a guide in revaccination decisions. For a solid herd immunity, more animals of the population must be vaccinated. The profession should issue regular updates of the 'code of vaccination practice'. To counteract vaccination antagonism, a concerted action of academia, the veterinary profession and industry is required.
Horzinek
Marian C
MC
Haydnlaan 15, 3723KE Bilthoven, The Netherlands. horzinek@planet.nl
D000257:Adenoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002415:Cats; D004216:Distemper / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004285:Dogs; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D010322:Parvoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*
D014765:Viral Vaccines