Guidance

VMD Position on vaccines for dogs

Updated 27 January 2025

VMD Position

The VMD recognises and supports the concerns of the pet owning community and their desire to understand the potential risks to their pets from unnecessary vaccination. In response to these concerns, the Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) established an independent working group on feline and canine vaccination which published their report. 

The working group concluded in 2002 that vaccination plays a very valuable role in the prevention and control of the major infections in dogs and cats and, although, adverse reactions occasionally occur, the risk/benefit analysis strongly supports their continued use.  The VMD is not aware of any new developments that would affect the previous conclusions of the Working Group.

The VMD recognises the continuing interest within the veterinary and general pet owning community on the frequency of vaccination and the level of protection afforded by vaccines for companion animals.  There is increasing scientific evidence that modified live vaccines (MLVs) for the core-diseases as defined in the WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) Vaccination Guidelines; canine distemper (CDV), canine parvovirus (CPV) and canine adenovirus (CAV) may provide a longer duration of immunity than currently indicated on the SPCs of authorised products.  The VMD will continue to work within a regulatory and scientific framework to ensure that re-vaccination intervals are supported by robust data.

Re-vaccination schedules

For the majority of UK authorised dog vaccines the re-vaccination interval for the core vaccines canine distemper (CDV), canine parvovirus (CPV) and canine adenovirus (CAV) is at least every three years.  These authorised re-vaccination schedules are in accord with the WSAVA Guidelines which state “revaccination (booster) at either 6 months or 1 year of age, then not more often than every 3 years”.

Duration of immunity

The duration of immunity of some vaccines is relatively short, with re-vaccination schedules of one year or even less.  Annual vaccination with some vaccines may, therefore, be required where a particular animal is at risk of infection. 

For leptospirosis, a serious endemic disease in dogs and a zoonosis, annual vaccination may be recommended by most veterinary surgeons to ensure an adequate level of protection is maintained.  Leptospirosis has a number of wildlife reservoirs and is a particular risk to animals and humans exposed to water contaminated with rat urine.

Regulatory framework

Within the current Regulatory framework, each veterinary vaccine is treated as a unique biological product with specific characteristics that determine the profile for safety and efficacy.  Each new application for authorisation must be accompanied by an extensive data package containing specific information relating to quality, safety and efficacy for the specific product.

Pharmacovigilance

It is acknowledged that Pharmacovigilance has a number of limitations that will not adequately address all the issues of adverse events.  More information is needed on the prevalence of canine diseases in the UK to enable veterinary surgeons and their clients to make meaningful benefit/risk assessments on whether to vaccinate an individual animal or not.

Veterinary surgeon’s clinical judgement

A veterinary surgeon is empowered to make a clinical benefit/risk judgement based on the local reports of infection and taking account of the age, health, home environment, travel plans and lifestyle for each individual animal presented for vaccination and discuss recommended vaccine schedules with the owner. Thus, the decision to vaccinate the individual patient and the frequency thereof is a matter for the veterinary surgeon and his client to discuss.  It is not an issue where the VMD should intervene.

Boarding kennels

The VMD does not regulate the vaccination requirements laid down by animal boarding establishments.  Local Authorities issue licences to proprietors of boarding kennels and catteries under the provisions of The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.  Published guidance has been developed to ensure animal health and welfare.  The VMD has no authority or responsibility for the legal and regulatory requirements for boarding establishments.