The schedule below is a suggested vaccination schedule provided by the American Association of Equine Practitioners, and is based on generally accepted veterinary practices. These guidelines are neither regulations nor directives for all situations and should not be interpreted as such. It is the responsibility of attending veterinarians, through an appropriate veterinarian-client-patient relationship, to utilize this information coupled with available products to determine the best professional care for their patients. For complete discussion of vaccination guidelines, please see the AAEP resource guide “Guidelines for Vaccination of Horses” (the guide can be obtained by contacting the AAEP at <aaepoffice@aaep.org>).
| 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 (plus 3rd dose at 6 months 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 (see full text in guidelines). |
Annual booster is after primary series. In endemic areas, booster as required or warranted due to local conditions conducive to disease risk. Vaccinate semi-annually or more frequently (every 4 months), depending on risk. |
| Tetanus toxoid |
From nonvaccinated mare: first dose: 3 to 4 months; second dose: 4 to 5 months.
From vaccinated mare: first dose: 6 months; second dose: 7 months; third dose: 8 to 9 months. |
Annual. |
Annual. |
Annual. |
Annual, 4 to 6 weeks prepartum. |
Booster at time of penetrating injury or surgery if last dose not administered 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. |
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 may only be available as a combination vaccine with EEE and WEE. |
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WEE, EEE (in low-risk areas) and VEE: From nonvaccinated mare: first dose: 3 to 4 months; second dose: 4 to 5 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. |
| 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. |
Every 3 to 4 months. |
Every 3 to 4 months. |
Annual with added boosters prior to likely exposure. |
At least semiannually, with 1 booster 4 to 6 weeks prepartum. |
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. |
| Intranasal modified live virus: First dose: 11 months; has been safely administered to foals less than 11 months—see comments. |
Every 6 months. |
Every 6 months. |
Every 6 months. |
Annual before breeding (see comments). |
| 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. |
Semiannual. |
Optional: semiannual if risk is high. |
Optional: semiannual if risk is high. |
Semiannual 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. |
Semiannual. |
Semiannual. |
Semiannual. |
Semiannual 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 infected and may shed virus for a short time. |
| Rotavirus A |
Little value to vaccinate foal because insufficient time to develop antibodies to protect during susceptible age. |
Not applicable. |
Not applicable. |
Not applicable. |
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. |
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*As with all medications, the label and product insert should be read before administration of all vaccines.
Schedules for stallions should be consistent with the vaccination program of the adult horse population on the farm and modified according to risk.
EEE = eastern equine encephalomyelitis, WEE = western equine encephalomyelitis, VEE = Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis, EHV-1 = equine herpes virus type.
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