Key Points about Vaccines
Although vaccines are commonplace in veterinary practices, it is important to note that their use should vary from one patient to another. They are only one component of an individualized pet care plan: what one patient needs might not be what another patient needs. Keep in mind the following key points about vaccines.
1. Vaccines are not innocuous. Some vaccines have a higher risk for vaccine reactions than other vaccines. Also note that the route of administration is critical: accidental subcutaneous administration of an intranasal Bordetella vaccine can unintentionally cause harm.
2. Vaccines do not induce the same degree of protection in all animals. The degree of protection afforded to an animal is based on patient risk variables such as age and health status. Similarly, a patient’s immune response will vary based on the type of vaccine and the route in which it is administered.
3. Vaccines do not always induce complete protection from the infection or disease. The degree of protection is not only dependent on each animal, but also the disease itself. This can be affected by virulence of the disease and load of pathogen in that geographic area, as well as strain of pathogen.
The overall objectives of vaccines are to:
o vaccinate the largest possible number of individuals in the population at risk,
o vaccinate each individual no more frequently than necessary,
o vaccinate only against infectious agents to which individuals have a realistic risk of exposure and subsequent development of disease,
o vaccinate against infectious agents that cause significant disease,
o vaccinate only when the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks, and
o vaccinate appropriately to protect human/public health.
For the most current recommendations of vaccines, visit:
https://www.aaha.org/guidelines/canine_vaccination_guidelines.aspx
https://www.catvets.com/guidelines/practice-guidelines/feline-vaccination-guidelines