YEARLY JAB A THING OF THE PAST ? - MARCH 19th 2004

Boosters may put animals at risk.

A group of Vets are calling on their profession to cease the policy of annual vaccination.
They say that evidence currently available shows that vaccinations given after six months may be good for life. They say, annual boosters for Parvovirus & distemper are unnecessary & subject the animal to risk of allergic reactions & autoimmune disorders, immuno - suppression, infections & anaerria.

They write, can we wonder that clients are losing faith in vaccinations & researching the issue for themselves? We think they are right to do so!
Politics, tradition or the economic well being of Vets & Pharmaceutical companies should not be a factor in making medical decisions. They allege that the promotion of annual vaccinations constitutes fraud & theft & recommend that booster vaccinations are given every three years.

The 31 Vets, writing in the “Veterinary Times” cite the American Veterinary Medical Association Committee’s recent report which states that annual re-vaccination recommendations are based on historical precedent & not scientific data. They say there is no proof that yearly vaccinations are necessary , that protection may be life-long & that re-vaccination of patients with sufficient immunity does not add measurably to their disease resistance & may increase their risk of adverse post-vaccination events.

A recent report by the American Animal Hospital Association Canine Vaccine Taskforce said that, “No Vaccine is always safe, No vaccine is always protective, & No vaccine is always indicated. The report reads, Misunderstanding, Misinformation, & the Conservative nature of our profession have largely slowed adoption of protocols advocating decreased frequency of vaccination.

Immunological memory provides durations of immunity for core infectious diseases that far exceed the traditional recommendations for annual vaccination. This is supported by a growing body of veterinary information as well as well developed epidemiological vigilance in human medicine that indicates immunity induced by vaccination is extremely long lasting & in most cases life long. It says that evidence shows the duration of immunity for Rabies, Canine distemper & Canine parvovirus Vaccines among others, is a minimum of seven years.

The vets wrote we fully accept that no single achievement has had a greater impact on the lives & wellbeing of our patients, our clients & our ability to prevent infectious diseases than the developments in animal vaccines. However, we fully support the recommendations & guide lines to reduce vaccine protocols for Dogs & Cats such that booster vaccinations are only given every three years & only for core vaccinations unless otherwise scientifically justified. In the light of data now available showing the needless use & potential harm of the annual vaccination we call on our profession to cease the policy of annual vaccination.
It is accepted that the annual examination of a pet is advisable. We undervalue ourselves however if we hang this essential service on the back of vaccination & will ultimately suffer the consequences.

Do we need to wait until we see actions against vets such as those launched in the state of Texas by Dr: Robert Rodgers? He asserts that the present practice of marketing vaccinations for companion animals constitutes fraud by misrepresentation, fraud by silence & fraud by deception. The oath that we take as newly qualified vets is to help or at least do no harm. We wish to maintain our position within society & be deserving of the trust placed in us as a profession. It is therefore our contention that those who continue to give annual vaccinations in the light of the new evidence may well be acting contrary to the welfare of the animals committed to their care.

THE SIGNATORIES ARE CARE OF AN ADDRESS IN LODSWORTH WEST SUSSEX.

The letter was welcomed by Catherine O’Driscoll who through her group Canine Health Concern has been campaigning to end annual vaccinations for many years. She said this week that we & others whose dogs have suffered vaccine reactions & whose beloved friends have died & suffered unnecessarily have been pilloried & castigated for speaking the truth for long enough now.

It is time to take this letter to your vet& to post it to other vets in your neighbourhood. Time to show this letter to all the dog lovers you meet in the park or at classes. Time to get the truth out there once & for all & time to stop our animals suffering. My respect & gratitude go out to those courageous vets who signed the letter.

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