A THING OF THE PAST BOOSTERS MAY
PUT ANIMALS AT RISKA group of vets is calling on their profession to cease the policy of annual vaccination.
They say that evidence currently available shows that vaccinations after six months may be 'good for life'
Annual boosters for parovirus and distemper are unnecessary they say, and subject the animal to risk of allergic reactions and autoimmune disorders, immuno-suppression, infections and anaemia.
'Can we wonder that clients are losing faith in vaccination and researching the issues for themselves?' they write. 'We think they are right to do so'
'Politics, tradition or the economic wellbeing of vets and pharmaceutical companies should not be a factor in making medical decisions.'
They allege that promoting annual vaccination consitutes fraud and theft and recommend that booster vaccinations are given every three years.
The 31 vets, writing in the Veterinary Times, cite the American Veterinary Medical Association Committee's recent report which states that annual re-vaccination recommendations are based on 'historical precedent, not scientific data'
They say there is no proof that yearly vaccinations are necessary, that protection may be lifelong, and that 're-vaccination of patients with a sufficient immunity does not add measurably to their disease resistance and may increase their risk of adverse post-vaccination events.
A recent report by the American Animal Hospital Association Canine Vaccine Taskforce said that '....no vaccine is always safe, no vaccine is always protective and no vaccine is always indicated'.
'Misunderstanding, misinformation and the conservative nature of our profession have largely slowed adoption of protocols advocating decreased frequency of vaccination,' the report reads.
'Immunological memory provides durations of immunity for core infectious diseases that far exceed the traditional recommendations for annual vaccination. This is supported by a growing body of veterinary informations as well as well-developed epidemiological vigilance in human medicine that indicates immunity induced by vaccination is extremely long lasting and, in most cases, life long'
It says that evidence shows the duration of immunity for rabies, canine distemper and canine parvovirus vaccines among others, is a minimum of seven years.
The vets wrote, 'We fully accept that no single achievement has had greater impact on the lives and wellbeing of our patients, our clients and our ability to prevent infectious diseases than the developments in animal vaccines'
'However, we fully support the recommendations and guide lines... to reduce vaccine protocols for dogs and cats such that booster vaccinations are only given every three years and only for core vaccines unless otherwise scientifically justified.'
'In the light of data now available showing the needless use and potential harm of annual vaccination we call on our profession to cease the policy of annual vaccination.'
'It is accepted that the annual examination of a pet is advisable. We undervalue ourselves however, if we hang this essential service on the back of vaccination and will ultimately suffer the consequences. Do we need to wait until we see actions against vets such as those launched in the state of Texas by Dr Robert Rogers? He asserts that the present practice of marketing vaccinations for companion animals constitutes fraud by misrepresentation, fraud by silence and theft by deception.
DESERVING
The oath we take as newly qualified vets is 'To help, or at least do no harm'. We wish to maintain our position within society and be deserving of the trust placed in us as a profession. It is therefore our contention that those who continue to give annual vaccinations in the light of the new evidence may well be acting contrary to the welfare to the animals committed to their care.
The signatories are care of an addresss in Lodsworth, West Sussex
The letter was welcomed by Catherine O'Driscoll who through her group Canine Health Concern has been campaigning to end annual vaccinations for many years.
She said this week: 'We and others whose dogs have suffered vaccine reactions and whose beloved friends have died and suffered unnecessarily have been pilloried and castigated for speaking the truth for long enough now.'
'Time to take this letter to your vet and to post it to other vets in your neighbourhood: time to show this letter to all the dog lovers you meet in the park or at classes. Time to get the truth out there once and for all and time to stop our animals suffering. My respect and gratitude go to the courageous vets who signed the letter.'
