Although yearly vaccination has long been the standard of care for most canine vaccinations, studies have shown that in some cases, annual vaccination confers no immunologic benefit and may actually pose unnecessary risks.1,2 This finding, combined with growing concerns about possible overvaccination, has led major universities and organizations such as the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) to recommend 3-year revaccination intervals for the following core vaccines3:

  • Canine distemper virus (CDV)
  • Canine adenovirus-2 (CAV-2)
  • Canine parvovirus (CPV)
  • Rabies virus

Only Continuum® vaccines From Merck Animal Health offer these 3-year core vaccines in a variety of antigen combinations to give you the most flexibility when creating vaccination protocols for your patients. Keep in mind that twice-yearly visits and annual vaccinations for noncore diseases are still necessary for optimum patient care.

 

Click here to learn more about Continuum 3-year core vaccines.

 

References:
1. Klingborg DJ, Hustead DR, Curry-Galvin EA, et al. AVMA Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents’ report on cat and dog vaccines. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2002;221:1401-1407.
2. Schultz RD. Current and future canine and feline vaccination programs. Vet Med. 1998;93:233-254.
3. Paul MA, Appel M, Barrett R, et al. Report of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Canine Vaccine Task Force: executive summary and 2003 canine vaccine guidelines and recommendations. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2003;39:119-131.