Equine influenza vaccination in the UK: Current practices may leave horses with suboptimal immunity.
Abstract: Vaccination is integral to preventive healthcare. Despite numerous guidelines on equine vaccination, evidence of current vaccination practices is lacking. Objective: To describe current vaccination practices advised by vets treating horses in the United Kingdom (UK) and compare practices with manufacturer datasheets and current guidelines. Methods: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: An online questionnaire was distributed using email addresses acquired through professional registration listings and social media, targeting vets who treat horses in the UK. The questionnaire collected demographic data and information regarding vaccination practices and vaccine hesitancy. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Results: Questionnaires were completed by 304 UK vets working with horses used for leisure (97.4%, n = 296/304), competition (86.2%, n = 262/304), stud-work (47.7%, n = 145/304) and racing (40.5%, n = 123/304). Variation was identified in vaccine protocols for competition and noncompetition horses. Fifty-seven per cent (n = 170/298) of respondents reported variation in advised 'booster' frequency; most commonly (n = 118) advising a 6-monthly vaccination in competition horses and annual vaccination in noncompetition horses. Most common vaccination guidelines volunteered were British Horseracing Authority (68.8%, n = 172/250) and Federation Equestre Internationale (66.4%, n = 166/250). Most vaccination practices were not consistent with datasheet guidance. Only 7.7% (n = 23/300) of respondents complied with datasheet timeframes between the second and third vaccination. Adverse events following vaccination in the previous year were encountered by 66% (n = 199/304) of respondents, representing 2760 adverse events; but only 526 (19.1%) cases were reported to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. Most common reactions were transient, including stiffness (931), localised swelling (835), lethargy (559) and pyrexia (355). 86.4% respondents reported vaccine hesitancy from horse owners, most commonly due to perception of over-vaccination, cost and concern regarding adverse events. Conclusions: Potential selection, respondent and recall bias. The recent Equine Influenza (EI) and Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) outbreaks in the UK may have altered responses. Conclusions: Current equine vaccination practices, although complying with competition rules, are mostly noncompliant with datasheet guidelines, potentially risking suboptimal immunity.
© 2020 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2020-12-09 PubMed ID: 33124070PubMed Central: PMC8451788DOI: 10.1111/evj.13377Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research article highlights that current equine vaccination practices in the UK potentially risk suboptimal immunity in horses, as they are mostly noncompliant with datasheet guidelines, yet comply with competition rules.
Objective and Methodology
- The study’s purpose was to examine the current vaccination practices adopted by veterinarians treating horses in the UK. There was a specific focus on identifying any discrepancies between these practices, manufacturer datasheets, and current guidelines.
- To investigate the practices, a cross-sectional survey was conducted. This was done through an online questionnaire distributed to veterinarians treating horses. The researchers reached the vets through professional registration listings and social media platforms.
- The questionnaire collected information related to the veterinarians’ demographics, their vaccination practices, and the presence of vaccine hesitancy.
Results
- The survey garner responses from 304 UK vets who were working with a variety of horses, including those used for leisure, competition, stud-work, and racing.
- Significant variation was identified in vaccine protocols for competing and non-competing horses. In fact, 57% of respondents reported variation in the frequency of booster vaccinations they advised.
- The majority of the practitioners reiterated that their vaccination practices were not in sync with datasheet guidelines. Alarmingly, only a little over 7% of respondents were found to comply with the datasheet timeframes for the second and third vaccinations.
- An astounding 66% of the vets reported experiencing adverse events following vaccination over the past year. However, only a fraction of these adverse cases, amounting to approximately 19%, were reported to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.
- A large majority, (86.4%), of vets also reported vaccine hesitancy from horse owners. This stemmed mainly from owners’ perception of over-vaccination, the high costs involved in vaccination, and concerns regarding adverse events.
Conclusions
- The study concludes that large discrepancies exist in the current equine vaccination practices when compared with the outlined datasheet guidelines. Consequently, this may result in suboptimal immunity among horses. These outcomes clarify that adherence to competition rules does not guarantee optimal vaccine administration and immunity. Therefore, it is implied that a reevaluation and possible restructuring of vaccine protocols can be warranted.
Cite This Article
APA
Wilson A, Pinchbeck G, Dean R, McGowan C.
(2020).
Equine influenza vaccination in the UK: Current practices may leave horses with suboptimal immunity.
Equine Vet J, 53(5), 1004-1014.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13377 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Equine Clinical Science, Institute of Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, Cheshire, UK.
- Department of Equine Clinical Science, Institute of Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, Cheshire, UK.
- Vet Partners, Leeman House, York, UK.
- Department of Equine Clinical Science, Institute of Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, Cheshire, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses
- Humans
- Influenza Vaccines
- Influenza, Human
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / prevention & control
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / veterinary
- United Kingdom
- Vaccination / veterinary
- Vaccines
Grant Funding
- MSD Veterinary Research Bursary
Conflict of Interest Statement
MSD (source of funding) produce a range of equine vaccinations; however, they were not involved in the development of the survey, and they did not have access to the results.
References
This article includes 29 references
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Gonzalez-Obando J, Forero JE, Zuluaga-Cabrera AM, Ruiz-Saenz J. Equine Influenza Virus: An Old Known Enemy in the Americas.. Vaccines (Basel) 2022 Oct 14;10(10).
- Davies H, Pinchbeck G, Noble PM, Diesel G, Pirmohamed M, Anderson N, Killick DR. UK veterinary professionals' perceptions and experiences of adverse drug reaction reporting.. Vet Rec 2022 Sep;191(6):e1796.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
