The current RCVS (March, 2020) advice is routine vaccinations (e.g. annual boosters) in an otherwise healthy animal, are currently not considered urgent (see BVA guidance for veterinary practices in assessing emergency and urgent care), however there may be scenarios where, in your professional judgement, vaccines must be given to reduce a real and imminent risk of disease; this includes in the face of an animal disease outbreak, or in a scenario where part of a vaccine course has been given and the animal may be exposed to the disease.1
WILL PETS BE PROTECTED IF THEIR VACCINES LAPSE?
Zoetis vaccines have only been studied to show evidence to protect for the duration of immunity as stated on the SPC, hence we cannot guarantee protection beyond this and cannot make any claims under veterinary medicines legislation. Any advice given is off-label however in the absence of vaccine specific data, Zoetis feels it can align with guidelines from key opinion leaders and associations.
WSAVA have reviewed immunological studies on vaccines and the available evidence, and provided advice for family-owned pets to help answer ‘whether my vaccinated pet is protected from infectious disease by its current vaccines and at what stage after the ‘due date’ for vaccination, any protection might lapse’.
GUIDANCE FOR DOGS
The WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines Group (VGG) recommends that a dog that has missed an annual booster by a period of up to 3 months, can be given a single booster vaccine.2 Beyond this period the dog will require 2 repeat injections ie a new primary course. For further details of their specific advice please click here.
GUIDANCE FOR CATS
WSAVA explain there is evidence that the core cat vaccines provide long-term protection to most cats and that protection is likely to persist until after COVID-19 dies down and cats can be revaccinated. FeLV vaccine is widely used globally in adult cats and WSAVA recommendations are for revaccination only every 2 – 3 years.2 Hence if a vaccine is licensed for annual administration, WSAVA and immunological principles suggest cats may be protected beyond this.
SOCIAL DISTANCING FOR PETS
Because of restrictions on national and international travel, it is expected that pets will be much less likely to be placed into boarding kennels or catteries and it is very unlikely that pets will be travelling internationally. This relative confinement of pets (particularly dogs) should also reduce the risk of the animals to contact with animal pathogens.2
WHAT IF THE RESTRICTIONS CONTINUE BEYOND 3 MONTHS?
If the restrictions continue beyond 3 months and vaccines are lapsed by a longer period of time we would advise educating owners around minimising the risks to their pet, including walking them on a lead, not allowing them to swim in waters, nor drink from water on a walk where there could be a higher risk of diseases such as leptospirosis.
AMNESTY
Zoetis will be offering a vaccine amnesty to all our vaccine customers once socialisation resumes and pet owners are able to return to routine consultations; we will fully support you to ensure all your patients are optimally protected. We recommend any pets that are 3 months overdue receive an appropriate vaccination course – which is: If they have lapsed up to 3 months, we will advise you to make a risk benefit decision on whether to boost the inpidual or restart the course depending on the level of disease in your area and the inpidual patient.
The amnesty will be available to all patients who are overdue their vaccination where we will provide the 2nd dose free of charge.
Please don’t hesitate to contact your account manager or our Technical Product Support Team on 0845 300 8034 or email customersupportUK@zoetis.com if you have any questions.
References:
1. RCVS (2020) Coronavirus (COVID-19) Available At: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-and-guidance/coronavirus-covid-19/ Accessed March, 2020.
2. WSAVA (2020) advice on COVID 19 Available At: https://wsava.org/news/highlighted-news/the-new-coronavirus-and-companion-animals-advice-for-wsava-members/
Further information can be obtained from Zoetis UK Limited, First Floor, Birchwood Building, Springfield Drive, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7LP • www.zoetis.co.uk • Customer support 0845 300 8034 • CustomerSupportUK@zoetis.com
Produced April 2020
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