Horse flu vaccine not available to public (NSW DPI)

Source: NSW DPI Website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

Horse flu vaccine can be used in NSW only for the equine influenza containment strategy and by accredited vets operating on behalf of NSW Department of Primary Industries.

Deputy chief veterinary officer Steve Dunn said there have been reports of private vets wrongly promoting local equine influenza vaccination services.

“It is illegal to acquire a vaccine or to vaccinate without DPI approval,” he said.

“Only DPI accredited veterinarians who have been through our induction course can vaccinate DPI approved horses for equine influenza.

“As well as the vaccination injection, vets are required to microchip all horses, record appropriate information and return used phials.”

Mr Dunn said vaccination would not stop horses becoming infected, but it would reduce clinical signs and decrease the amount of virus shed by horses.

“Vaccine is not a silver bullet, or the answer to all the problems thrown up by the EI outbreak,” he said.

“The fact that the virus was brought into the country by vaccinated horses highlights the limitation of vaccines.”