The
AVMA Vaccination Study - continued
COBTA concludes that there currently exists inadequate data to
scientifically determine a single best protocol for vaccination
or revaccination. Advances in antigen science, adjuvant function,
impacts of different vaccine carrier solutions, and the immune
system's acute and chronic reactions to stimulation are impressive,
but there remain gaps in our understanding. The body of knowledge
about the variability of genetics within a breed or species, and
the resulting impacts on the individual patient's response to
vaccine or associated adverse reactions, is increasing but remains
insufficient to make general recommendations. COBTA believes that
variation in our patients and their lifestyle, and between the
individual vaccine products available, requires a customized approach
to vaccination recommendations to best match the variation in
the patients presented for immunization.
The practitioner and client must make the best patient-care decisions
where there exists a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
Vaccine decisions require a thorough and ongoing review of scientific
information and expert opinion of this constantly evolving area
to properly prepare the customized vaccine recommendations animal
patients require.
The one-year revaccination frequency recommendation found on many
vaccine labels is based on historical precedent and United Sates
Department of Agriculture regulation, not on scientific data.
Even in those cases where scientific data was submitted to qualify
the label claim, the data generated does not resolve the question
about average or maximum duration of immunity.
There is evidence that some vaccines provide immunity beyond one
year. Revaccination of patients with sufficient immunity does
not add measurably to their disease resistance and may increase
their risk of adverse post-vaccination events. Vaccination is
a potent medical procedure with both benefits and associated hazards.
It is not currently possible to determine the immune status of
a patient relative to all the infectious diseases of concern without
conducting a challenge test. Serology does not predict a patient's
immune status for most diseases. For those diseases where serology
has predictive value of a patient's immune status, the variation
within and between laboratories renders the procedure generally
unreliable.
Adverse events may be associated with the antigen, adjuvant, carrier,
preservative, or a combination thereof. Possible adverse events
include failure to immunize, anaphylaxis, immunosuppression, autoimmune
disorders, transient infections, and/or long-term infected carrier
states. In addition, a causal association in cats between injection
sites and the subsequent development of a malignant tumor is the
subject of ongoing research. The role of genetic predisposition
to adverse events needs further exploration and definition.
Vaccine program goals include providing optimal immunity, against
clinically relevant diseases the patient is at-risk to contract,
while minimizing the potential for adverse events.
Multiple sources of information can be of value to practitioners
in their review of vaccine and infectious diseases, including
scientific data and opinion from experts, species and specialty
groups, manufacturers and government agencies. All sources of
scientific information and expert opinion need to be carefully
and critically considered to properly prepare the customized vaccine
programs, animal patients require.
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