AAEP Equine Vaccination Guidelines
"Farrier-Friendly"™ series By Bryan S. Farcus, BS, CF

The Infectious Disease Committee of the American Association of Equine Practitioners has issued revised guidelines for the administration of vaccinations to horses. The Committee, chaired by Mary Scollay, DVM, has made recommendations for the use of vaccines based on the age of the horse and its previous vaccination history.

Highlights of “Guidelines for the Vaccination of Horses” include:

The identification of tetanus, Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis, West Nile virus and rabies as “core” vaccines. Core vaccines have clearly demonstrated efficacy and safety, and exhibit a high enough level of patient benefit and low enough level of risk to justify their use in the majority of patients.

The addition of a vaccination protocol for anthrax.

Recommendations for the storage and handling of vaccines, as well as information on vaccine labeling and adverse reactions.

The complete document, along with easy reference charts, is available on the AAEP Web site at http://www.aaep.org/vaccination_guidelines.htm.