SAEF Circular 6 of 2018 – Vaccinations
AFRICAN HORSE SICKNESS VACCINATIONS
There appears to be much confusion about the rules pertaining to African Horse Sickness Vaccination for competition horses.
For all horses wishing to participate in any SAEF discipline show the following vaccinations are compulsory.
1. AFRICAN HORSE SICKNESS VACCINATION (AHS)
Horses for competition purposes must be vaccinated annually against AHS, with both AHS 1 and AHS 2. The Vaccination must be given a minimum of 21 days apart. The interval between vaccines may be longer than 21 days, but horses vaccinated with the 2nd vaccine in less than 21 days will make both vaccinations invalid.
This means that a horse requires AHS 1 and AHS 2 every year. For example, a horse may receive the first vaccine in June 2018 and the 2nd in August 2018. This horse has until the end of 2019 to complete both AHS 1 and AHS 2. i.e. AHS 1 and AHS 2 must be administered at least once in each calendar year.
It has become common practice to administer AHS 2 before AHS 1, especially in naive animals (imported horse, foals and horses receiving vaccination for the first time). This practice is NOT illegal and it is perfectly acceptable to administer them in this order.
Scientific research has also shown that the ideal time between vaccinations is 4 – 6 weeks and not 21 days. Owners should be encouraged to vaccinate with longer intervals between AHS 1 and 2, which will also allow owners to vaccinate horses at times convenient to their show schedules.
DISPENSATION FOR AHS VACCINATION
Competition horses residing in the Free and Surveillance Zones of the Western Cape are not required to have annual AHS vaccination. However, should they wish to leave the Free or Surveillance Zone to travel to the Infected or Protection Zones, they will be required to comply with AHS vaccination.
2. EQUINE INFLUENZA VACCINE
An initial Primary Course of two vaccinations must be given; the second vaccination must be administered within 21-92 days of the first vaccination. It is important that the primary course should consist of the same propriety vaccine.
The first booster must be administered within 7 calendar months following the date of administration of the second vaccination of the Primary Course.
Booster vaccinations must be administered at a maximum of 12 month intervals however Horses competing in Events must have received a booster within 6 months +21 days (and not within 7 days) before arrival at the Event.
Horses may compete 7 days after receiving the second vaccination of the primary course.
Horses that have received the Primary Course prior to 1 January 2005 are not required to fulfil the requirement for the first booster, providing there has not been an interval of more than 12 months between each of their subsequent annual booster vaccinations.
Horses whose vaccinations have exceeded a 12 month interval must receive the Primary Course of vaccinations.
No horse may compete within 7 days of a vaccination.
Kind Regards
Dr Sheelagh Higgerty
Chair SAEF Veterinary Committee