AAEP Guidelines for Vaccination of Horses
Note: As with the administration of all medications, the label and product insert should be read before the administration of vaccines.
The schedule below is a suggested vaccination schedule provided by the American Association of Equine Practitioners, and is based on generally accepted veterinary practices. Infectious disease control programs in conjunction with vaccination are important in maximizing the health, productivity and performance of your horse. Your veterinarian can help design a health management program to reduce exposure to infectious disease agents in your horseÌs environment and lessen the incidence of illness. Disease control programs should be tailored to your individual needs with consideration given to ages, types, activities and number of horses in your program. You should consult with your veterinarian regarding the specific needs of your horse.
| Disease/Vaccine | Foals/Weanlings | Yearlings | Performance Horses | Pleasure Horses | Broodmares | Comments |
| West Nile Virus | First dose: 3 to 4 months. Second dose: 1 month later (optional) Third dose: 6 months later in endemic areas. |
Annual booster, prior to expected risk. Vaccinate semi-annually or more frequently (every 4 months) depending on risk. |
Annual booster, prior to expected risk. Vaccinate semi-annually or more frequently (every 4 months) depending on risk. |
Annual booster, prior to expected risk. Vaccinate semi-annually or more frequently (every 4 months) depending on risk. |
Annual. 4 to 6 weeks prepartum. |
Annual booster is after primary series. In endemic areas, booster as required or warranted due to local conditions concucive to disease risk. Vaccinate semi-annually or more frequently (every 4 months) depending on risk. |
| Tetanus Toxoid | From Non-vaccinated Mare: First dose: 3 to 4 months. From Vaccinated Mare: First dose: 6 months. |
Annual | Annual | Annual | Annual, 4 to 6 weeks prepartum | Booster at time of penetrating injury or surgery if last dose was not aministered within 6 months. |
Encephalomyelitis (EEE, WEE, VEE) |
EEE: (in high-risk areas) First dose: 3 to 4 months Second dose: 4 to 5 months Third dose: 5 to 6 months WEE, EEE (in low-risk areas) and VEE: From nonvaccinated mare: First dose: 3 to 4 months Second dose: 4 to 5 months Third dose: 5 to 6 months From vaccinated mare: First dose: 6 months Second dose: 7 months Third dose: 8 months |
Annual, spring | Annual, spring | Annual, spring | Annual, 4 to 6 weeks prepartum | In endemic areas booster EEE and WEE every 6 months; VEE only needed when threat of exposure; VEE my only be available as a combination vaccine with EEE and WEE. |
| Influenza | Inactivated injectable: From nonvaccinated mare: First dose: 6 months Second dose: 7 months Third dose: 8 months Then at 3-month intervals From vaccinated mare: First dose: 9 months Second dose: 10 months Third dose: 11 to 12 months Then at 3-month intervals Intranasal modified live virus: First dose: 11 months; has been safely administered to foals less than 11 months - see comments |
Every 3 to 4 months Every 6 months |
Every 3 to 4 months Every 6 months |
Annual with added booster prior to likely exposure Every 6 months |
At least semiannual with 1 booster 4 to 6 weeks prepartum
Annual, before breeding (see comments) |
A series of at least 3 doses is recommended for primary immunization of foals. Not recommended for pregnant mares until data available. Use inactivated vaccine for prepartum booster. If first dose is administered to foals less than 11 months of age, administer 2nd dose at or after 11 months of age. |
| Rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1 and EHV-4) | First dose: 4 to 6 months Second dose: 5 to 7 months Third dose: 6 to 8 months Then at 3-month intervals |
Booster every 3 to 4 months up to annually | Booster every 3 to 4 months up to annually | Optional: semiannual if elected | Fifth, seventh, ninth month of gestation (inactivated EHV-1 vaccine); optional dose at third month of gestation | Vaccination of mares before breeding and 4 to 6 weeks prepartum is suggested. Breeding stallions should be vaccinated before the breeding season and semiannually |
| Strangles | Injectable: First dose: 4 to 6 months Second dose: 5 to 7 months Third dose: 7 to 8 months (depending on the product used) Fourth dose: 12 months Intranasal: First dose: 6 to 9 months Second dose: 3 weeks later |
Semi-annual | Optional: semi-annual if risk is high | Optional: semi-annual if risk is high | Semi-annual with 1 dose of inactivated M-protein vaccine 4 to 6 weeks prepartum | Vaccines containing M-protein extract may be less reactive than whole-cell vaccines. Use when endemic conditions exist or risk is high. Foals as young as 6 weeks-of-age may safely receive the intranasal product. A third dose should be administered 2 to 4 weeks prior to weaning. |
| Rabies | Foals born to non-vaccinated mares: First dose: 3 to 4 months Second dose: 12 months Foals born to vaccinated mares: First dose: 6 months Second dose 7 months Third dose: 12 months | Annual | Annual | Annual | Annual, before breeding | Vaccination recommended in endemic areas. Do not use modified-live-virus vaccines in horses. |
| Potomac Horse Fever | First dose: 5 to 6 months Second dose: 6 to 7 months | Semi-annual | Semi-annual | Semi-annual | Semi-annual with 1 dose 4 to 6 weeks prepartum | Booster during May to June in endemic areas. |
| Botulism | Foal from vaccinated mare: 3 dose series of toxoid at 30-day intervals starting at 2 to 3 months-of-age Foal from non-vaccinated mare: see comments |
Consult your veterinarian | Consult your veterinarian | Consult your veterinarian | Initial 3-dose series at 30-day intervals with last dose 4 to 6 weeks prepartum. Annually thereafter, 4 to 6 weeks prepartum | Only in endemic areas. A third dose administered 4 to 6 weeks after the second dose may improve the response of foals to primary immunization. Foal from non-vaccinated mare may benefit from: 1) toxoid at 2,4 and 8 weeks-of-age; 2) transfusion of plasma from vaccinated horse; or 3) antitoxin. Efficacy needs further study. |
| Equine Viral Arteritis | Intact colts intended to be breeding stallions: One dose at 6 to 12 months-of-age | Annual for colts intended to be breeding stallions | Annual for colts intended to be breeding stallions | Annual for colts intended to be breeding stallions | Annual for seronegative, open mares before breeding to carrier stallions; isolate mares for 21 days after breeding to carrier stallion | Annual for breeding stallions and teasers, 28 days before start of breeding season; virus may be shed in semen for up to 21 days. Vaccinated mares do not develop clinical signs even though they become transiently infected and may shed virus for a short time. |
| Rotavirus A | Little value to vaccinate foal because they ahve insufficient time to develop antibodies to protect during susceptible age | NA | NA | NA | Vaccinate mares at 8, 9 and 10 months of gestation, each pregnancy. Passive transfer of colostral antibodies aid in prevention of rotaviral diarrhea in foals. | Check concentrations of immunoglobulins in foal to be assured that there is no failure of passive transfer. |
*As with administration of all medications, the label and product insert should be read before administration of all vaccines.
EEE=eastern equine encephalomyelitis
WEE=western equine encephalomyelitis
VEE=Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis
EHV-1=equine herpes virus type