ADVANCES in Hendra virus vaccinations now allow horses to have the booster doses between 21 and 42 days from the initial vaccination, with plans for an annual booster, according to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (AVPMA).
Warwick Vet Chris Reardon said the new duration of immunity from Hendra was great news for horse owners, as cooler months take hold and the risks of Hendra virus increase.
“It allows vets to manage the timing of the second injection more easily around owners work commitments,” he said.
“In the past, the second needle had to be given exactly at 21 days and it presented some challenges with location of horses or dates when horses were competing at shows and events.”
Dr Reardon said horses still require a booster dose six months later.
“Research work into the potential for an annual booster is still ongoing and this data is due to be released in September this year,” he said.
Analysis of the first 25,500 doses given to horses has showed no serious or life-threatening reaction reports; in fact less than 0.22 per cent of horses showed any soreness or illness.
This vaccine, which can be given to horses from four months of age, is very safe, according to Dr Reardon.
“The vaccine can be given to pregnant mares under veterinary advice,” he said.
“There is no reason to believe the vaccine is unsafe and there are similar vaccines such as tetanus, strangles, herpesvirus and rotavirus which are approved to be given to mares during pregnancy.”
Dr Reardon is now recommending horse owners use the vaccines. “This is also the position of the Australian Veterinary Association,” he said.
This year there has been two confirmed cases of Hendra virus in horses, one near Mackay and one in the Tablelands area of north Queensland.
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