FEI: Vaccination period has been temporarily extended due to vaccine shortage

The FEI Board of Directors has approved a temporary exemption from veterinary regulations from the FEI due to a shortage of vaccines that originated in Europe. The main producer of equine influenza vaccines, Boehringer-Ingelheim, is facing supply problems.

At the September 8 meeting, the FEI decided to extend booster periods from October 1, 2022 to April 1, 2023 from six months to 12 months, while also expanding the scope of veterinary safety, health and wellness.

The temporary exemption applies worldwide; So horses can participate in FEI events around the world with the latest booster vaccination obtained within a twelve-month period (but not within seven days of arriving at the event). All other requirements of Section 1003 must be met during this period.

danger groups

Deficiency relates to equine influenza – ‘ProteqFlu® (EI)’ vaccine and equine influenza and tetanus – ‘ProteqFlu® (TE)’ vaccine.

“However, the most dangerous groups are in horses that have not yet built a strong immune system: the zero to four year age group (including breeding horses and young horses – racing) as well as elderly and retired horses. In order to protect these groups as much as possible Of efficacy against potential diseases, the vaccine will initially be made available to these high-risk groups in the next six months, explains FEI Veterinary Director Göran Akerstrom.

He continues: “FEI – Middle-aged sports horses have gained a lot of immunity during many years from the date of vaccination and are better protected from disease than the at-risk groups. Because of the shortage, the equine world has to work together and make vaccines available to those of yesterday need it.
Once availability returns to normal, we will resume our six-month booster periods because we need to continue building long-term collective immunity.”

Click here for more information on the FEI page