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Noah
Update
Benefits
of pet vaccination recognised by independent products’
committee
A NEW report concludes that currently available dog and cat
vaccines play a very valuable role in the prevention and control
of major infectious diseases and strongly supports their use.
The Report was published today by the Veterinary Products’
Committee (VPC) Working Group on Feline and Canine Vaccination
into the issues surrounding the routine vaccination of cats
and dogs.
“We are pleased that the VPC has arrived at these conclusions”,
said David Sutton, chairman of the National office of Animal
Health’s companion animal vaccine group.
“The industry has been examining the use of vaccines in
cats and dogs for a number of years and this independent expert
report concurs with our own findings. It presents the issues
in a balanced and scientific manner, which allows informed public
debate amongst veterinary surgeons and pet owners,” he
added.
One area highlighted in the Report was that of feline injection
site sarcomas. NOAH recognises this particular concern and has
already been instrumental in setting up an interdisciplinary
expert working group specifically looking into this issue.
The Report also found that there is insufficient information
to propose booster intervals other than those recommended by
the manufacturer and approved by the regulatory process. However,
it emphasised the fact that vaccination should be an individual
medical decision made by the vet in consultation with the owner
and it recognised that the manufacturers’ recommended regimes
will be based on a minimum duration of immunity - rather than
a maximum.
“NOAH fully supports this approach,” commented Mr
Sutton.
“There is much in the Report we need to consider. However,
our initial view is that it is constructive and helpful. Vaccination
plays a very valuable role in the control of major infectious
diseases in cats and dogs and the Report strongly supports its
continued use”.
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