Page 115 - December2022

VETERINARY VIEWS
The conversation about vaccines in human health concerns has been an ongoing
topic since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak over three years ago. You are probably well aware of all the pro and con arguments for
and against being immunized against this potentially fatal disease. In the United States, we are fortunate to have access to advanced, cutting-edge medical protocols, one of which is the availability of effective vaccines, including against Covid, which greatly reduce sickness and death.
While in the USA, people have yet
to benefit from the philosophy of “herd immunity” by having the bulk of the population immunized against Coronavirus, the animal world has achieved this goal
more widely. “Herd immunity” describes the beneficial effect of vaccinating the bulk of the population so that fewer members of the “herd” are exposed and infected.
Equine vaccines are plentiful, targeting many serious diseases that plague horses: Tetanus, West Nile virus, Eastern and Western encephalomyelitis, and rabies, as a few examples. Because most horses are immunized with these core vaccines each spring, the incidence of such deadly diseases has fallen off dramatically. Most horse owners are aware of the importance of scheduling spring immunizations and autumn boosters for their horses along with annual wellness exams. Nonetheless, some still question the need for protecting some or all of their horses with vaccines.
WHAT ABOUT HORSES THAT DON’T GO OFF THE FARM?
The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Biologics and Therapeutic Agents Committee (www.aaep.org) has developed recommendations for core vaccines
– those given annually to every horse regardless of location, age, and gender – and risk-based vaccines, which protect against diseases
specific to a region or locale. AAEP core vaccine guidelines (for Eastern and Western encephalitis, West Nile virus, tetanus, and rabies) should be followed for all horses – those traveling as well as those staying at home. If contact with other horses is anticipated, then risk-based vaccines, such as EHV-1/4 (herpes
Equine vaccines target many serious diseases that plague horses, including Tetanus, West Nile virus, Eastern and Western encephalomyelitis, rabies, etc.
or rhinopneumonitis), EIV (influenza) and strangles, should also be considered.
Some respiratory viruses do not currently have vaccines for horses, and in some cases
a particular vaccine is not commonly in
use (rhinovirus). Although a horse may be immunized against influenza or equine herpes (rhinopneumonitis) virus, it is still possible
to contract a different respiratory virus. In addition, not all vaccines are 100% effective
in all horses; even though immunized, a horse could contract a very mild and short-lived form of disease. The point is that with immunization, the amount of disease incurred is substantially reduced and recovery time is lessened with fewer lasting adverse health effects.
WHAT ABOUT EQUINE VACCINES?
by Nancy S. Loving, DVM
SPEEDHORSE December 2022 113