[Influenza vaccination: which vaccine (author’s transl)].

The research article investigates the most effective type of influenza vaccination for horses and ponies, concluding that adjuvant-containing vaccines work best, with aluminium-hydroxide being a safe adjuvant to use.

Background

• This study is a comparative review of research papers from the past decade that focus on various types of influenza vaccines for horses and ponies.
• The authors aim to highlight the most effective type of vaccine, considering different aspects such as components within the vaccine and the method of inoculation.

Adjuvant-Containing Vaccines

• Based on their study, the authors propose that vaccines which include an adjuvant—an agent that improves the body’s immune response to the vaccine—are optimal for preventing influenza in horses and ponies.
• Adjuvants work by boosting the immune system response when it comes into contact with the vaccine. This makes the vaccine more effective at preventing the targeted disease.

Aquenous Vaccine Inoculation

• The researchers also acknowledge that similar results may be achievable by administering an aquenous vaccine twice.
• An aquenous vaccine refers to a vaccine that is based on or dissolved in water. Here, two doses of the vaccine are given to induce a stronger immune response.

Use of Aluminium-Hydroxide as an Adjuvant

• The study did not find any downsides to using aluminium-hydroxide as an adjuvant in the vaccine, making it a recommended choice based on the current literature.
• Aluminium-hydroxide acts as a stimulant, enhancing the body’s immune response when it encounters the elements in the vaccine.

Use of Mineral Oil as an Adjuvant

• When mineral oil is used as an adjuvant, the first two vaccinations do not cause any problems, according to the reviewed papers. This suggests that mineral oil is also a safe adjuvant to use for equine influenza vaccines.
• Like aluminium-hydroxide, mineral oil also helps to strengthen the immunological reaction to the vaccine. However, the study does not specify whether one is more effective than the other.