Cat annual boosters still necessary, says NOAH

Annual booster vaccination against feline 'flu and enteritis is still needed to protect cats from these diseases, says the National Office of Animal Health.

In a letter published in the 21 March edition of the Veterinary Record, veterinary surgeon David Sutton, Chairman of NOAH's Companion Animal Vaccine Group, said that cats respond individually to vaccination, and the length of protection can vary from cat to cat. 'While the immunity developed against some diseases, in some cats, may last longer than 12 months, this is certainly not going to be the case for all diseases or for all cats'.

Vaccines have to satisfy stringent requirements for safety, quality and efficacy, according to European legislation, before they can be put on the market. The booster interval is part of this process, and the manufacturers' recommendations ensure protection in as many individual animals as is practically possible.

A recent paper published in the US implied that some vaccines under experimental conditions did in fact offer protection for a much longer interval in some cats. But conditions in the real world are not the same, and for the good of animal welfare, it is far better to be safe than sorry.

'Viral respiratory disease in particular still represents a major threat' said Mr Sutton.

27 March 1998

Notes for Editors

1. For further information contact Roger Cook or Alison Glennon at NOAH, tel. +44 (0)181 367 3131

2. The National Office of Animal Health was formed on 1 January 1986 to represent the UK companies which research, develop, manufacture and market licensed animal health products. The association now represents 53 companies which in 1997 accounted for around 95% of the £379 million UK animal health market, with additional valuable exports.