Equine Vaccine Recommendations

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Guidelines for Vaccination of Horses

The schedule below is a suggested vaccination schedule provided by the American Association of Equine Practitioners, and is based on generally accepted veterinary practices. Infectious disease control Kathy giving a vaccine in the muscle

programs in conjunction with vaccination are important in maximizing the health, productivity and performance of your horse. Your veterinarian can help design a health management program to Kathy giving the Influenza vaccine intranasally

Kathy giving the Influenza vaccine intranasally

reduce exposure to infectious disease agents in your horse’s environment and lessen the incidence of illness. Disease control programs should be tailored to your individual needs with consideration given to ages, types, activities and number of horses in your program. You should consult with your veterinarian regarding the specific needs of your horse.

Disease/vaccine	Foals/weanlings	Yearlings	Performance Horses	Pleasure Horses	Broodmares	Comments
Tetanus toxoid	From nonvaccinated mare: First dose: 3 to 4 months Second dose: 4 to 5 months From vaccinated mare : First dose: 6 months Second dose: 7 months Third dose: 8 to 9 months	Annual	Annual	Annual	Annual, 4 to 6 weeks prepartum	Booster at time of penetrating injury or surgery if last dose not administered within 6 months
Disease/vaccine	Foals/weanlings	Yearlings	Performance Horses	Pleasure Horses	Broodmares	Comments
Encephalomyelitis (EEE, WEE, VEE)	EEE: (in high-risk areas) First dose: 3 to 4 months Second dose: 4 to 5 months Third dose: 5 to 6 months WEE, EEE (in low-risk areas) and VEE: From nonvaccinated mare: First dose: 3 to 4 months Second dose: 4 to 5 months Third dose: 5 to 6 months From vaccinated mare: First dose: 6 months Second dose: 7 months Third dose: 8 months	Annual, spring Annual, spring	Annual, spring Annual, spring	Annual, spring Annual, spring	Annual, 4 to 6 weeks prepartum Annual, 4 to 6 weeks prepartum	In endemic areas booster EEE and WEE every 6 months; VEE only needed when threat of exposure; VEE may only be available as a combination vaccine with EEE and WEE.
Disease/vaccine	Foals/weanlings	Yearlings	Performance Horses	Pleasure Horses	Broodmares	Comments
Rabies	Foals born to non-vaccinated mares: First dose: 3 to 4 months Foals born to vaccinated mares: First dose: 6 months	Annual	Annual	Annual	Annual, can be done before breeding and should be boostered 4 to 6 weeks prepartum.	Vaccination recommended in endemic areas. Do not use modified-live-virus vaccines in horses.
Disease/vaccine	Foals/weanlings	Yearlings	Performance Horses	Pleasure Horses	Broodmares	Comments
Influenza	Inactivated injectable: From nonvaccinated mare: First dose: 6 months Second dose: 7 months Third dose: 8 months Then at 3-month intervals From vaccinated mare: First dose: 9 months Second dose: 10 months Third dose: 11 to 12 months Then at 3-month intervals Intranasal modified live virus : First dose: 11 months; has been safely administered to foals less than 11 months - see comments	Every 3 to 4 monthsEvery 6 months	Every 3 to 4 monthsEvery 6 months	Annual with added boosters prior to likely exposure Every 6 months	At least semiannual, with 1 booster 4 to 6 weeks prepartum, Annual before breeding (see comments)	A series of at least 3 doses is recommended for primary immunization of foals. Not recommended for pregnant mares until data available. Use inactivated vaccine for prepartum booster. If first dose is administered to foals less than 11 months of age, administer 2nd dose at or after 11 months of age.
Disease/vaccine	Foals/weanlings	Yearlings	Performance Horses	Pleasure Horses	Broodmares	Comments
Rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1 and EHV-4)	First dose: 4 to 6 months Second dose: 5 to 7 months Third dose: 6 to 8 months Recommend modified live virus vaccine.	Booster every 3 to 4 months up to annually. Recommend modified live virus vaccine.	Optional: use modified live virus vaccine.	Optional: Not recommended at this time.	Fifth, seventh, ninth month of gestation (inactivated EHV-1 vaccine); optional dose at third month of gestation if high exposure risk.	Vaccination of mares before breeding and 4 to 6 weeks prepartum is suggested. Breeding stallions should be vaccinated before the breeding season.
Disease/vaccine	Foals/weanlings	Yearlings	Performance Horses	Pleasure Horses	Broodmares	Comments
West Nile Virus	Intervet product - (Prevenile) Single dose at 5 months of age. No booster needed.	Annual booster, prior to expected risk. Vaccinate semi-annually, depending on risk.	Annual booster, prior to expected risk. Vaccinate semi-annually, depending on risk.	Annual booster, prior to expected risk. Vaccinate semi-annually, depending on risk.	Annual, 4 to 6 weeks prepartum.	Annual booster In endemic areas, booster as required or warranted due to local conditions conducive to disease risk. Vaccinate semi-annually, depending on risk and vaccine type.
Disease/vaccine	Foals/weanlings	Yearlings	Performance Horses	Pleasure Horses	Broodmares	Comments
Strangles	Injectable: First dose: 4 to 6 months Second dose: 5 to 7 months Third dose: 7 to 8 months (depending on the product used) Fourth dose: 12 months Intranasal: First dose: 6 to 9 months.	Optional: Semi-annual if risk is high.	Optional: semi-annual if risk is high.	Optional: semi-annual if risk is high.	Intranasal product can be used in pregnant mares. In high risk situations, 1 dose of inactivated M-protein vaccine 4 to 6 weeks prepartum	Vaccines containing M-protein extract may be less reactive than whole-cell vaccines. Use when endemic conditions exist or risk is high. Foals as young as 6 weeks-of-age may safely receive the intranasal product. A second dose should be administered 2 to 4 weeks prior to weaning.
Disease/vaccine	Foals/weanlings	Yearlings	Performance Horses	Pleasure Horses	Broodmares	Comments
Potomac Horse Fever	First dose: 5 to 6 months Second dose: 6 to 7 months in endemic areas.	Optional	Optional	Optional	Optional: 1 dose 4 to 6 weeks prepartum	Booster during May to June in endemic areas.

Disease/vaccine	Foals/weanlings	Yearlings	Performance Horses	Pleasure Horses	Broodmares	Comments
Equine Viral Arteritis ***EVA-SN (blood titer) negative before first vaccine given.	Intact colts intended to be used for breeding stallions: single dose at 6 to 12 months of age.	Annual for colts intended to be breeding stallions.	Annual for colts intended to be breeding stallions.	Annual for colts intended to be breeding stallions.	DO NOT USE IN PREGNANT MARES!! Annual for seronegative, open mares before breeding to carrier stallions; isolate mare for 21 days after breeding to carrier stallion.	Annual for breeding stallions and teasers 28 days before start of breeding season; virus may be shed in semen for up to 21 days.

*As with administration of all medications, the label and product insert should be read before administration of all

vaccines. Schedules for stallions should be consistent with the vaccination program of the adult horse population on the farm and modified according to risk.
EEE=eastern equine encephalomyelitis
VEE=Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis
WEE=western equine encephalomyelitis
EHV-1=equine herpes virus type