What are booster vaccines?
Booster vaccines are follow-up vaccines that are given after your dog first receives a vaccine. Protection from an initial vaccine series can fade, so boosters help keep immunity at a safe level by reminding the immune system how to fight a disease.
Are booster vaccines necessary for dogs?
Yes, booster vaccines are an important part of keeping your dog protected from disease. Some vaccines, like rabies and distemper, protect against serious, life-threatening diseases—but immunity does not last forever.
Your veterinarian will recommend a booster schedule based on your dog’s age, lifestyle, and risk. Many core vaccines are boosted every 1 to 3 years, while others may be given more or less often. By keeping your dog up-to-date on vaccines, you help your dog stay healthy, as well as people and other pets.
Research shows that avoiding vaccine boosters can put your dog at risk. However, recent research indicates that not all vaccines require yearly boosters. Blood tests to measure antibodies (antibody titers) are sometimes recommended to establish whether boosters are necessary for your dog. However, these tests are often more expensive than revaccination and may be stressful for your dog. In addition, even if there is a high number of antibodies, it does not ensure adequate disease protection if your dog is exposed to a virulent strain of disease.
Government regulatory bodies have strict guidelines for vaccine development, and manufacturers must prove that a vaccine is safe and effective before it can be used. Through vigilance and high standards, the veterinary vaccines used today are safer and more protective than ever.
How often should my dog get boosters?
Your veterinarian may recommend giving your dog certain core or essential viral vaccines on a three-year schedule if your dog has a low-risk lifestyle. Studies demonstrate that some viral vaccines, such as distemper, parvovirus and rabies, may convey at least three years of immunity. However, bacterial vaccines, for diseases like Lyme and leptospirosis, still require annual boosters.
It is important to note that administering a vaccine labeled for annual administration at a different interval, such as every three years, is an off-label use and may violate government regulations. Before adjusting your dog’s vaccination booster schedule, discuss your dog’s lifestyle with your veterinarian and determine the appropriate vaccine program.
Can my dog get boosters only when necessary?
It is possible, but to determine when boosters might be necessary for your dog, it is necessary to test the dog’s blood to determine the level of immunity against each disease (antibody titers). If a specific antibody titer is low, your dog will require a booster vaccine.
Currently, few vaccines are available that protect against only one disease (monovalent vaccine). When a monovalent vaccine is available, it often costs as much, if not more, than a vaccine that protects against multiple diseases (multivalent vaccine). For your dog, receiving one injection against many common diseases is better than a series of single disease vaccinations.
Are there other benefits to annual vaccination?
Annual vaccines require an annual veterinary exam, which allows your veterinarian to examine your dog thoroughly. During these visits, veterinarians frequently detect infections of the teeth or ears and subclinical diseases (diseases that do not present definite or observable symptoms), such as underlying heart conditions, metabolic problems, and organ dysfunction. Early diagnosis allows more effective and successful treatment and may improve the quality of your dog’s life.
Regular veterinary exams are especially important as dogs age. Once your dog is considered a senior, an examination may be recommended twice a year to maintain their health and quality of life.
If you regularly board your dog or if your dog is exposed to other dogs, some vaccines may be needed annually, especially those for infectious bacterial diseases such as kennel cough (Bordetella). If you plan to travel across borders with your dog, it is important to check the vaccine requirements of the country you wish to visit, as they may be stricter than your own. You and your veterinarian can decide which vaccinations your dog will receive based on your dog’s lifestyle, age, and health status.
