Vaccination schedule for your horse

Most horse owners are aware that there are certain vaccines required to be able to compete in events with your horse or even travel.  There are a set of core vaccines that every horse should receive regardless of if they ever leave your farm or not.  The mosquitoes seem especially bad this year, likely due to all of the rain we have received and since a lot of our really nasty equine diseases are carried by the mosquito it is important to make sure your horses are up to date on all of their vaccines.  Make sure you talk to your vet about what risk-based vaccines they recommend for your area.

Vaccination timing is a little different for horses in different life stages.  Broodmares, adult horses and foals all have different vaccination requirements and schedules.  Below are tables broken down into these life stage categories as well as core vaccines and risk-based vaccines.

***ALL VACCINATION PROGRAMS SHOULD BE DEVELOPED IN CONSULTATION WITH A LICENSED VETERINARIAN***

Broodmares:

CORE VACCINATIONS protect against diseases that are endemic to a region, are virulent/highly contagious, pose a risk of severe disease, those having potential public health significance, and

/or are required by law. Core vaccines have clearly demonstrable efficacy and safety, with a high

enough level of patient benefit and low enough level of risk to justify their use in all equids.

Disease	Previously vaccinated against the disease indicated	Previously unvaccinated or having and unknown vaccination history
Tetanus	Annual, 4 - 6 weeks pre-partum	2-dose series  ·         2nd dose-4-6 weeks after 1st Revaccinate 4-6 weeks pre-partum
Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE)	Annual, 4 - 6 weeks pre-partum	2-dose series ·         2nd dose-4 weeks after 1st Revaccinate 4-6 weeks pre-partum
West Nile Virus (WNV)	Annual, 4 - 6 weeks pre-partum	It is preferable to vaccinate naïve mares when open.
Rabies	Annual, 4 - 6 weeks pre-partum OR Prior to breeding	Annual, 4 - 6 weeks pre-partum OR Prior to breeding

RISK-BASED VACCINES Note: Vaccines are listed in this table in alphabetical order, not in order of priority or use are selected for use based on risk assessment performed by, or in consultation with, a licensed Veterinarian.   Use of these vaccines may vary between individuals, populations, and/or geographic regions

Disease	Previously vaccinated against the disease indicated	Previously unvaccinated or having an unknown vaccination history
Anthrax	Not recommended during gestation	Not recommended during gestation
Botulism	Annual, 4 - 6 weeks pre-partum	3-dose series ·         1st dose-at 8 months gestation ·         2nd dose-4 weeks after 1st dose ·         3rd dose-4 weeks after 2nd dose
Equine Herpesvirus (EHV)	3-dose series with product labeled for protection against EHV abortion.      Give at 5, 7 and 9 months of gestation.	3-dose series with product labeled for protection against EHV abortion.      Give at 5, 7 and 9 months of gestation.
Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)	Not recommended unless high risk	Not recommended unless high risk
Influenza	Inactivated vaccine:  Semi-annual with one dose administered 4-6 weeks pre-partum. Canary pox vector vaccine:  Semi-annual with one dose administered 4-6 weeks pre-partum	Inactivated vaccine:  3-dose series ·         2nd dose-4-6 weeks after 1st dose ·         3rd dose-4-6 weeks pre-partum Canary pox vector vaccine: 2-dose series ·         2nd dose-4-6 weeks after 1st but no later than 4 weeks pre-partum
Potomac Horse Fever (PHF)	Semi-annual, with one dose given 4-6 weeks pre-partum	2-dose series ·         1st dose-7-9 weeks pre-partum ·         2nd dose-4-6 weeks pre-partum
Rotavirus	3-dose series ·         1st dose-at 8 months gestation ·         2nd and 3rd doses-at 4-week intervals thereafter	3-dose series ·         1st dose-at 8 months gestation 2nd and 3rd doses-at 4-week intervals thereafter
Strangles (Streptococcus equi)	Killed vaccine containing M-protein:  Semi-annual with one dose given at 4-6 weeks pre-partum	Killed vaccine containing M-protein:  3-dose series ·         2nd dose-2-4 weeks after 1st dose ·         3rd dose-4-6 weeks pre-partum

Non-pregnant Adult Horses:

CORE VACCINATIONS protect against diseases that are endemic to a region, are virulent/highly contagious, pose a risk of severe disease, those having potential public health significance, and

/or are required by law. Core vaccines have clearly demonstrable efficacy and safety, with a high

enough level of patient benefit and low enough level of risk to justify their use in all equids.

Disease	Previously vaccinated against the disease indicated (>1 year of age)	Unvaccinated or having unknown vaccination history (>1 year of age)
Tetanus	Annual	2-dose series ·         2nd dose-4-6 weeks after 1st dose. Annual revaccination
Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE)	Annual-spring, prior to onset of vector season	2-dose series ·         2nd dose-4-6 weeks after 1st dose Revaccinate prior to onset of the next vector season
West Nile Virus (WNV)	Annual-spring, prior to onset of vector season	Inactivated whole virus vaccine:  2-dose series ·         2nd dose-4-6 weeks after 1st dose Revaccinate prior to onset of the next vector season Recombinant canary pox vaccine: 2-dose series ·         2nd dose-4-6 weeks after 1st dose Revaccinate prior to onset of the next vector season Inactivated flavivirus chimera vaccine: 2-dose series ·         2nd dose-3-4 weeks after 1st dose Revaccinate prior to onset of the next vector season
Rabies	Annual	Single dose Annual revaccination

RISK-BASED VACCINES Note: Vaccines are listed in this table in alphabetical order, not in order of priority or use are selected for use based on risk assessment** performed by, or in consultation with, a licensed Veterinarian.   Use of these vaccines may vary between individuals, populations, and/or geographic regions

Disease	Previously vaccinated against the disease indicated (>1 year of age)	Unvaccinated or having unknown vaccination history (>1 year of age)
Anthrax	Annual	2-dose series ·         2nd dose-3-4 weeks after 1st dose Annual revaccination
Botulism	Annual	3-dose series ·         2nd dose-4 weeks after 1st dose ·         3rd dose-4 weeks after 2nd dose Annual revaccination
Equine Herpesvirus (EHV)	Annual	3-dose series ·         2nd dose-4-6 weeks after 1st dose ·         3rd dose-4-6 weeks after 2nd dose
Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)	Annual Stallion, teasers: Vaccinate 2-4 weeks before breeding season Mares:  Vaccinate when open	Single dose* *Prior to initial vaccination, intact males and any horses potentially intended for export should undergo serologic testing and be confirmed negative for antibodies to EAV. Testing should be performed shortly prior to, or preferably at, the time of vaccination.
Influenza	Horses with ongoing risk of exposure: Semi-annual Horses at low risk of exposure: Annual	Modified live vaccine: Single dose administered intranasally. Revaccinate semi-annually to annually Inactivated vaccine: 3-dose series ·         2nd dose-4-6 weeks after 1st dose ·         3rd dose-3-6 months after 2nd dose Revaccinate semi-annually Canary pox vector vaccine: 2-dose series ·         2nd dose-4-6 weeks after 1st dose Revaccinate semi-annually
Potomac Horse Fever (PHF)	Semi-annual to annual	2-dose series ·         2nd dose 3-4 weeks after 1st dose Semi-annual or annual booster
Strangles (Streptococcus equi)	Semi-annual to annual	Killed vaccine containing M-protein: 2-3-dose series ·         2nd dose-2-4 weeks after 1st dose ·         3rd dose(where recommended by manufacturer)-2-4 weeks after 2nd dose Revaccinate semi-annually Modified live vaccine: 2-dose series-administered intranasally ·         2nd dose-3 weeks after 1st dose Revaccinate semi-annually

Foals and Weanlings

CORE VACCINATIONS protect against diseases that are endemic to a region, those with potential public health significance, required by law, virulent/highly infectious, and/or those posing a risk of severe disease. Core vaccines have clearly demonstrated efficacy and safety, and thus exhibit a high enough level of patient benefit and low enough level of risk to justify their use in all equids.

Disease	Of mares vaccinated in the pre-partum period against the disease indicated (<12 months of age)	Of unvaccinated mare (<12 months of age)
Tetanus	3-dose series ·         1st dose-4-6 months of age ·         2nd dose-4-6 weeks after 1st dose ·         3rd dose-10-12 months of age	3-dose series ·         1st dose-1-4 months of age ·         2nd dose-4 weeks after 1st dose ·         3rd dose-4 weeks after 2nd dose
Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE)	3-dose series ·         1st dose-4-6 months of age* ·         2nd dose-4-6 weeks after 1st dose ·         3rd dose-10-12 months of age, prior to the onset of the next vector season *Foals born in the Southeastern USA:  The primary vaccination series should be initiated with an additional dose at 3 months of age due to early seasonal vector presence	3-dose series ·         1st dose-3-4 months of age* ·         2nd dose-4 weeks after 1st dose ·         3rd dose-60 day interval after 2nd dose *Foals born in Southeastern USA:  The primary vaccination series should be initiated at 3 months of age due to early seasonal vector presence
Rabies	2-dose series ·         1st dose-6 months of age ·         2nd dose-4-6 weeks after 1st dose	2-dose series ·         1st dose-3-4 months of age ·         2nd dose-4-6 weeks after 1st dose
West Nile Virus (WNV)	Inactivated whole virus vaccine: 3-dose series ·         1st dose-4-6 months of age ·         2nd dose-4-6 weeks after 1st dose ·         3rd dose-10-12 months of age, prior to the onset of the next vector season Recombinant canary pox vaccine: 3-dose series ·         1st dose-4-6 months of age ·         2nd dose-4 weeks after 1st dose ·         3rd dose-10-12 months of age, prior to the onset of the next vector season Inactivated flavivirus chimera vaccine: 3-dose series ·         1st dose-4-6 months of age ·         2nd dose-4-6 weeks after 1st dose ·         3rd dose-10-12 months of age, prior to the onset of the next vector season Foals in the Southeast USA:  Due to early seasonal vector presence, the primary vaccination series should be initiated earlier with the addition of a dose at 3 months of age	Inactivated whole virus vaccine: 3-dose series ·         1st dose-3-4 months of age ·         2nd dose-30 days after 1st dose ·         3rd dose-60 day interval after 2nd dose Recombinant canary pox vaccine: 3-dose series ·         1st dose-3-4 months of age ·         2nd dose-30 days after 1st dose ·         3rd dose-60 day interval after 2nd dose Inactivated flavivirus chimera vaccine: 3-dose series ·         1st dose-3-4 months of age ·         2nd dose-30 days after 1st dose ·         3rd dose-60 day interval after 2nd dose (If primary series initiated during mosquito vector season, an interval of 3-4 weeks between the 2nd and 3rd doses is preferable to the above described 8 week interval.) Foals in the Southeast USA:  Due to early seasonal vector presence, the primary vaccination series should be initiated at 3 months of age

RISK-BASED VACCINATIONS are those having applications which may vary between individuals, populations, and geographic regions. Risk assessment should be performed by, or in consultation with, a licensed veterinarian to identify which vaccines are appropriate for a given horse or population of horses. The listing of a vaccine here is not a recommendation for its inclusion into a vaccination program. Vaccine scheduling is provided for use after it has been determined which, if any, risk-based vaccines are indicated. Note: vaccines are listed in this table in alphabetical order not in order of priority for use.

Disease	Of mares vaccinated in the pre-partum period against the disease indicated (<12 months of age)	Of unvaccinated mare (<12 months of age)
Anthrax	Not applicable as it is not recommended to vaccinate mare during pregnancy  there will be no foals of mares vaccinated pre-partum	No age specific guidelines are available for this vaccine. Manufacturer’s recommendations is primary series of 2 doses administered subcutaneously at 2-3 week interval
Botulism	3-dose series ·         1st dose-2-3 months of age ·         2nd dose-4 weeks after 1st dose ·         3rd dose-4 weeks after 2nd dose	3-dose series ·         1st dose-1-3 months of age ·         2nd dose-4 weeks after 1st dose ·         3rd dose-4 weeks after 2nd dose
Equine Herpesvirus (EHV)	Inactivated or modified live vaccine 3-dose series ·         1st dose-4-6 months of age ·         2nd dose-4-6 weeks after 1st dose ·         3rd dose-10-12 months of age Revaccinate at 6-month intervals	Inactivated or modified live vaccine 3-dose series ·         1st dose-4-6 months of age ·         2nd dose-4-6 weeks after 1st dose ·         3rd dose-10-12 months of age Revaccinate at 6-month intervals
Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)	Colt (male) foals:  Single dose at 6-12 months of age* Prior to initial vaccination, colt foals should undergo serologic testing and be confirmed negative for antibodies to EAV.  Testing should be performed shortly prior to, or preferably at, the time of vaccination. As foals can carry colostral derived antibodies to EAV for up to 6 months, testing and vaccination should not be performed prior to 6 months of age.	Colt (male) foals:  Single dose at 6-12 months of age* Prior to initial vaccination, colt foals should undergo serologic testing and be confirmed negative for antibodies to EAV.  Testing should be performed shortly prior to, or preferably at, the time of vaccination. As foals can carry colostral derived antibodies to EAV for up to 6 months, testing and vaccination should not be performed prior to 6 months of age.
Equine Influenza	Inactivated vaccine: 3-dose series ·         1st dose-6 months of age ·         2nd dose-3-4 weeks after 1st dose ·         3rd dose-10-12 months of age Modified live vaccine: 2-dose series administered intranasally ·         1st dose-6-7 months of age ·         2nd dose-11-12 months of age Canary pox vector vaccine: 2-dose series ·         1st dose-6 months ·         2nd dose-5 weeks after 1st dose Revaccinate at 6-month interval	Inactivated vaccine: 3-dose series 1st dose-6 months of age 2nd dose-3-4 weeks after 1st dose 3rd dose-10-12 months of age Modified live vaccine: 2-dose series administered intranasally 1st dose-6-7 months of age 2nd dose-11-12 months of age Canary pox vector vaccine: 2-dose series 1st dose-6 months 2nd dose-5 weeks after 1st dose Revaccinate at 6-month interval
Potomac Horse Fever (PHF)	2-dose series ·         1st dose-5 months of age ·         2nd dose-3-4 weeks after 1st dose	2-dose series ·         1st dose-5 months of age ·         2nd dose-3-4 weeks after 1st dose
Rotavirus	Not recommended in foals	Not recommended in foals
Strangles (Streptococcus equi)	Killed vaccine: 3-dose series ·         1st dose-4-6 months of age ·         2nd dose-4-6 weeks after 1st dose ·         3rd dose-4-6 weeks after 2nd dose Modified live vaccine: 3-dose series administered intranasally ·         1st dose-6-9 months of age ·         2nd dose-3-4 weeks after 1st dose ·         3rd dose-11-12 months of age	Killed vaccine: 3-dose series ·         1st dose-4-6 months of age ·         2nd dose-4-6 weeks after 1st dose ·         3rd dose-4-6 weeks after 2nd dose Modified live vaccine: 3-dose series administered intranasally ·         1st dose-6-9 months of age ·         2nd dose-3-4 weeks after 1st dose 3rd dose-11-12 months of age

--All tables and vaccination timing information taken from the American Association of Equine Practitioners