Initial Recommendations for Vaccination of Cats

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Developed by the Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force (VAFSTF)
Published February 1,1997

  1.  The manufacturer's label recommendation is the only official item a veterinarian currently has to demonstrate the basis for vaccination.
  2. Alternate vaccination routes (e.g., nasal, topical) should be considered if and when available.
  3. The use of vaccines packaged in single-dose vials should be encouraged.
  4. Vaccination is a medical procedure and protocols should be individualized to the patient. Administration of any vaccine should proceed only after duly considering the medical significance and zoonotic potential of the infectious agent, the patient's risk of exposure, and germane legal requirements.
  5. Any occurrences of vaccine-associated sarcomas or other adverse reactions should be reported directly to the vaccine manufacturer and to the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Veterinary Practitioners' Reporting Program (800-487-7776; www.usp.org/prn/vprp.htm). The record should include vaccine type, lot number, and vaccination site; this information should also be incorporated into the patient's permanent medical file.
  6. To further characterize the causal link and to facilitate treatment of vaccine-associated sarcomas, the following general guidelines for vaccine (and other injectable product) administration are suggested:
          a)  Veterinarians should standardize vaccination (and other injection) protocols within their practice and document the location of the injection, the type of vaccine or other injectable product administered, and the manufacturer and serial number of the vaccine in the patient's permanent medical record.
          b)       It is recommended that:
                   i) Vaccines containing antigens limited to panleukopenia, feline herpesvirus type-1, and feline calicivirus (+/- chlamydia) should be administered on the right shoulder, according to the manufacturers recommendations.
                   ii) Vaccines containing rabies antigen (+ any other antigen) should be administered on the right rear limb, as distally as possible, according to the manufacturer's recommendations
                   iii) Vaccines containing feline leukemia virus antigen (+/- any other antigen except rabies) should be administered on the left rear limb, as distally as possible, according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
                   iv) Injection sites of other medications should be recorded

The USP Veterinary Practitioners' Reporting Program accepts reports regarding any problem with a product used in the delivery of health care to animals. All reports are forwarded to the manufacturer, the appropriate federal regulatory agency, and the AVMA. Reports may be submitted by phone (800-487-7776), mail, fax (301-816-8532), or through the Internet (www.usp.org/prnjvprp.htm). The program is presented in cooperation with the AVMA

Reprinted with permission of the VAFSTF.