For decades, dog owners have faithfully hauled “Fido” in for annual boosters, and clearly, vaccinations have an important purpose: stimulation of immunity against deadly illnesses. Specific shots are necessary, and can be credited with maintaining control of canine disease.
However, researchers say that once immunity is established, certain “memory cells” maintain protection throughout the pet’s life…..without any booster shots at all!
Recommendations for annual boosters began in 1978 without any scientific proof that more is better. (1) In 2001, the American Veterinary Medical Association emphasized, “Unnecessary stimulation of the immune system does not result in enhanced disease resistance, and may increase the risk of adverse post-vaccination events.” (2) In 2002, Dr. Donald Klingborg wrote, “The one-year re-vaccination frequency recommendation found on many vaccine labels is based on historical precedent, and not on scientific data.” (3)
By 1999, Dr. Ronald D. Shultz, foremost researcher in this subject, had already found that duration of immunity provided by vaccines for Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus, and Adenovirus is a minimum of seven years - likely lasting the lifetime of the dog! (4)
Bearing all the above in mind, there are significant reasons to reconsider frequency of boosters:
- allergic reactions (mild) - i.e. skin rash, hives, fever, swelling, lethargy, vomiting
- allergic reactions (life-threatening) - i.e. collapse, anaphylactic shock, possible death
- long-term physical effects - skin problems, hair loss/discoloration, tumors, lameness, arthritis (5)
- no added protection from additional boosters (6)
- no scientific basis for annual shots (4)
- certain vaccines provide little protection for "self-limiting" illnesses that respond well to treatment - i.e. "Kennel Cough" (7); Corona virus - a disease of puppies only (8); Lyme and Giardia (9)
- some vaccines pose greater risk than that of contracting the disease - i.e. Leptosporosis (a serious regional disease which has a reputation for extreme adverse reactions and death (9)
- Mercury (Thimerosol) is associated with tumors at "presumed injection sites" (10)
- autoimmune diseases, epilepsy and aggression are attributed to over-vaccination (11)
- certain available vaccines have not been fully licensed due to lack of evidence of efficacy - i.e. Rattlesnake bite and periodontitis (9)
According to Bob Rogers, DVM, of Critter Advocacy website, a 12-year-old dog given annual boosters receives 157 antigens (foreign particles) injected into its body in its lifetime.” Avoiding unnecessary vaccines like Lyme, Corona and Lepto and use of the 3-year protocol suggested by the American Animal Hospital Association and most veterinary teaching schools, antigens are reduced to 32. Thus, the chances for adverse reactions, life-long afflictions, and even death could be dramatically reduced and overall health greatly improved.
References:
- Wolf, Alice; World Animal Veterinary Congress presentation; 2001
- American Veterinary Medical Association; Principles of Vaccination. 2002.
- Klingborn, Donald; Principles of Vaccination. 2002.
- Schultz, Ronald D.; Duration of Immunity to Canine Vaccines: What We Know and What We Don't; 1999
- Hamilton, Don. Health Hazards of Routine Vaccinations; 1999.
- AVMA/COBTA; Principles of Vaccination. 2002.
- American Animal Hospital Association; Canine Guidelines and Recommendations; 2003.
- Wolf, Alice M. Schering-Plough Animal Health Compendium; 1999.
- UC Davis Veterinary Teaching Hospital Vaccination Brochures
- Journal of Veterinary Medicine; August 2003.
- Loops, Charles E., DVM; Are Vaccinations Dangerous?; charlesloopsdvm website
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