After careful review of recommendations given by the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), we have decided to alter our feline vaccine protocol.  We plan to transition from our yearly Feline Distemper combination to a Feline Distemper combination given once every three years.  Concurrently, we also plan to transition from a Rabies vaccine given once every three years to a Rabies vaccine given yearly.  This transition will begin January 2011, and will be implemented for your cat as its vaccines become due. 

Why are we doing this?

Vaccines can generally be divided into two groups: adjuvanted and non-adjuvanted.  An adjuvanted vaccine contains a pharmacological agent which stimulates the patient’s immune system and increases the efficacy of certain vaccines.  Adjuvants, however, have also been known to cause chronic inflammation and have been found histologically in sarcomas (a type of tumor).  While a direct association has NOT been made between post-vaccinal chronic inflammation and risk of vaccine-associated sarcoma, current recommendations are to use less inflammatory products whenever possible, particularly in cats.  NOTE: Vaccine-associated sarcomas have been reported in dogs and ferrets but there has not been enough data to support a similar recommendation in dogs.

Rabies Vaccine

We currently use Imrab 3 TF which is an adjuvanted Rabies vaccine.  Starting in January, we will begin using the non-adjuvanted PureVax Feline Rabies vaccine.  While Imrab 3 TF is licensed as a 3-year vaccine, PureVax Feline Rabies is only licensed as a 1-year vaccine.  We will keep on hand the 3-year Rabies vaccine for those that request it; and we will continue to give the current 3-year Rabies vaccine to our canine patients.

Cats are now the most frequently reported domestic rabid animal in the United States. Because of the rabies risk to cats and their owners, feline rabies vaccination is strongly recommended for ALL cats and it is required by Maryland State law.

Feline Distemper Vaccine

Our current Feline Distemper combination vaccine is a non-adjuvanted vaccine which recent studies have shown to be efficacious for up to 3 years.  We, therefore, have decided to follow the recent trend to transition to giving the Feline Distemper vaccine every third year.  Kittens will still need to complete the kitten series of vaccines and then be boostered at 1 year of age at which time the 3-year protocol will begin.

---

Although changes in vaccination protocols can be confusing, we are following the national trend of decreasing the total number of vaccines that pets require unless risk factors dictate otherwise.

Keep in mind that the most important part of the annual visit is the patient’s physical exam.  Just as in human medicine, early detection of health problems usually results in better outcomes and a better quality of life.