Recalls

The previous versions of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Canine Vaccine Guidelines, published in 2003 and 2006, and updated in 2007, represented a collaborative effort by academicians, private practitioners, and industry to facilitate efforts of veterinarians in the United States (US) and Canada in making decisions regarding the selection and use of canine vaccines.

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Vaccination guidelines for shelter-housed dogs were also included in 2006. Since that time, new canine vaccines have been licensed, others have been withdrawn, and new information on existing vaccines has led to the revision of current recommendations.

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The 2011 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines offer a comprehensive review of canine vaccines currently available in North America, updated recommendations on administration of core versus noncore vaccines, and revised recommendations for vaccination of shelter-housed dogs. Also included are updated recommendations on serologic testing as a means of documenting and monitoring immune responses to vaccines, an expanded discussion on vaccine adverse events (AEs), and an updated review of the legal implications associated with administering vaccines in clinical practice.

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The reader is reminded that scientific studies and refereed journal publications are not available to support all of the vaccination recommendations included within this document.  Some recommendations are based on unpublished studies, current knowledge of immunology, and the experience of experts in the field. To that point, the reader is referred to a new section of the AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines, entitled Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Within this section, the Task Force addresses several topical and controversial canine vaccination issues posed by practicing veterinarians. The section is subdivided into four categories to address questions on Administration of Vaccines, Vaccine Products, Adverse Reactions to Vaccines, and Legal Issues related to administration of vaccines, and is intended to provide additional advice on key points of concern where scientific documentation may not be available.

 

This published comprehensive paper can be viewed in detail here: