Specific Vaccination Recommendations

At The Atlanta Equine Clinic, we classify vaccines as either part of our "CORE" protocol or our "RISK-BASED" protocol.

Core Vaccinations: Protect against diseases that are endemic to a region, those with potential public health significance, those required by law, those that are considered virulent/ highly infectious, and/or those posing a risk of severe disease. Core vaccines have clearly demonstrated efficacy and safety, and thus exhibit a high enough level of patient benefit and low enough level of risk to justify their use in all equids. The core vaccines are written in larger print below.

Risked-Based Vaccinations: Those having applications which may vary between individuals, populations, and geographic regions. Risk assessment should be performed by a licensed veterinarian, preferably one familiar with the specific region. Risked-based vaccines are not recommended as part of a routine vaccination regimen, but rather are only indicated under special circumstances. The risk-based vaccines are written in italicized print below.

I. FOR FOALS AND WEANLINGS <12 MONTHS OF AGE

A. Of mares vaccinated in the prepartum period against the disease indicated

1. Tetanus: 3-dose series. 1st dose at 4-6 months of age. 2nd dose 4-6 weeks after 1st dose. 3rd dose at 10-12 months of age.
2. Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis: 3-dose series. 1st dose at 4-6 months of age. 2nd dose 4-6 weeks after 1st dose. 3rd dose at 10-12 months of age. In southeastern states, an additional dose at 3 months of age is recommended due to earlier seasonal vector presence.
3. Rabies: 3-dose series. 1st dose at 6 months of age. 2nd dose 4-6 weeks after 1st dose. 3rd dose at 10-12 months of age.
4. West Nile Virus: 3-dose series (inactivated vaccine). 1st dose at 4-6 months of age. 2nd dose 4-6 weeks after 1st dose. 3rd dose at 10-12 months of age. In southeastern states, an additional dose at 3 months of age is recommended due to earlier seasonal vector presence.
5. Anthrax: Not applicable.
6. Botulism: 3-dose series. 1st dose at 2-3 months of age. 2nd dose 4 weeks after 1st dose. 3rd dose 4 weeks after 2nd dose.
7. Equine Herpesvirus (EHV): 3-dose series. 1st dose at 4-6 months of age. 2nd dose 4-6 weeks after 1st dose. 3rd dose at 10-12 months of age. Revaccinate at 6-month intervals.
8. Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA): Colts (males) that have tested negative for antibodies to EVA at the time of vaccination ONLY. Single dose at 6-12 months of age.
9. Equine Influenza: 3-dose series. 1st dose at 6 months of age. 2nd dose 3-4 weeks after 1st dose. 3rd dose at 10-12 months of age. Revaccinate at 6-month intervals.
10. Potomac Horse Fever (PHF): 2-dose series. 1st dose at 5 months of age. 2nd dose 3-4 weeks after 1st dose.
11. Rotavirus: NOT recommended in foals.
12. Strangles (Streptococcus equi): 3-dose series (intranasal). 1st dose at 6-9 months of age. 2nd dose 3-4 weeks after 1st dose. 3rd dose at 11-12 months of age.

B. Of unvaccinated mares

1. Tetanus: 3-dose series. 1st dose at 1-4 months of age. 2nd dose 4 weeks after 1st dose. 3rd dose 4 weeks after 2nd dose.
2. Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis: 3-dose series. 1st dose at 3-4 months of age. 2nd dose 4 weeks after 1st dose. 3rd dose at 10-12 months of age. In southeastern states, an additional dose at 3 months of age is recommended due to earlier seasonal vector presence.
3. Rabies: 3-dose series. 1st dose at 3-4 months of age. 2nd dose 4 weeks after 1st dose. 3rd dose at 10-12 months of age.
4. West Nile Virus: 3-dose series (inactivated vaccine). 1st dose at 3-4 months of age. 2nd dose 4 weeks after 1st dose. 3rd dose at 10-12 months of age. In southeastern states, an additional dose at 3 months of age is recommended due to earlier seasonal vector presence.
5. Anthrax: 2 doses administered subcutaneously at a 2-3 week interval. No age specification.
6. Botulism: 3-dose series. 1st dose at 1-3 months of age. 2nd dose 4 weeks after 1st dose. 3rd dose 4 weeks after 2nd dose.
7. Equine Herpesvirus (EHV): 3-dose series. 1st dose at 4-6 months of age. 2nd dose 4-6 weeks after 1st dose. 3rd dose at 10-12 months of age. Revaccinate at 6-month intervals.
8. Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA): Colts (males) that have tested negative for antibodies to EVA at the time of vaccination ONLY. Single dose at 6-12 months of age.
9. Equine Influenza: 3-dose series. 1st dose at 6 months of age. 2nd dose 3-4 weeks after 1st dose. 3rd dose at 10-12 months of age. Revaccinate at 6-month intervals.
10. Potomac Horse Fever (PHF): 2-dose series. 1st dose at 5 months of age. 2nd dose 3-4 weeks after 1st dose.
11. Rotavirus: NOT recommended in foals.
12. Strangles (Streptococcus equi): 3-dose series (intranasal). 1st dose at 6-9 months of age. 2nd dose 3-4 weeks after 1st dose. 3rd dose at 11-12 months of age.

II. FOR ADULT HORSES (not Broodmares) >12 MONTHS OF AGE

A. Previously vaccinated against the disease indicated

1. Tetanus: Once annually.
2. Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis: Once annually in the SPRING.
3. Rabies: Once annually.
4. West Nile Virus (inactivated vaccine): Once annually in the SPRING.
5. Equine Herpesvirus (EHV): Once or twice annually depending on exposure to new horses.
6. Equine Influenza: Once or twice annually depending on exposure to new horses.
7. Anthrax: Once annually.
8. Botulism: Once annually.
9. Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA): Once Annually. Stallions: 1 dose 2-4 weeks prior to breeding season. Mares: DO NOT vaccinate when pregnant.
10. Potomac Horse Fever (PHF): Once or twice annually depending on prevalence in specific region.
11. Rotavirus: Not applicable.
12. Strangles (Streptococcus equi): Once or twice annually depending on prevalence in specific region.

B. Unvaccinated or Lacking Vaccination History

1. Tetanus: 2-dose series. 2nd dose 4-6 weeks after 1st dose. Revaccinate annually.
2. Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis: 2-dose series. 2nd dose 4-6 weeks after 1st dose. Revaccinate annually in the SPRING.
3. Rabies: Once annually.
4. West Nile Virus (inactivated vaccine): 2-dose series. 2nd dose 4-6 weeks after 1st dose. Revaccinate annually in the SPRING.
5. Equine Herpesvirus (EHV): 3-dose series. 2nd dose 4-6 weeks after 1st dose. 3rd dose 4-6 weeks after 2nd dose. Revaccinate once or twice annually depending on exposure to new horses.
6. Equine Influenza: 3-dose series. 2nd dose 4-6 weeks after 1st dose. 3rd dose 3-6 months after 2nd dose. Revaccinate once or twice annually depending on exposure to new horses.
7. Anthrax: 2-dose series. 2nd dose 3-4 weeks after 1st dose. Revaccinate annually.
8. Botulism: 3-dose series. 2nd dose 4 weeks after 1st dose. 3rd dose 4 weeks after 2nd dose. Revaccinate annually.
9. Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA): Single dose in horses that have tested negative for antibodies to EVA at the time of vaccination ONLY.
10. Potomac Horse Fever (PHF): 2-dose series. 2nd dose 3-4 weeks after 1st dose. Revaccinate once or twice annually depending on prevalence in specific region.
11. Rotavirus: Not applicable.
12. Strangles (Streptococcus equi): 2-dose series. 2nd dose 3 weeks after 1st dose. Revaccinate once or twice annually depending on prevalence in specific region.

III. FOR BROODMARES

A. Previously vaccinated against the disease indicated

1. Tetanus: Once annually. 4-6 weeks pre-partum.
2. Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis: Once annually in the SPRING. 4-6 weeks pre-partum.
3. Rabies: Once annually. 4-6 weeks pre-partum.
4. West Nile Virus (inactivated vaccine): Once annually in the SPRING. 4-6 weeks pre-partum.
5. Equine Herpesvirus (EHV): Administer "Pneumobort K" at 5, 7 and 9 months of gestation.
6. Equine Influenza: Twice annually. 4-6 weeks pre-partum.
7. Anthrax: NOT recommended during pregnancy. Otherwise, once annually.
8. Botulism: Once annually. 4-6 weeks pre-partum.
9. Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA): Once annually if very high risk. DO NOT vaccinate when pregnant.
10. Potomac Horse Fever (PHF): Twice annually. 4-6 weeks pre-partum.
11. Rotavirus: 3-dose series. 1st dose at 8 months gestation. 2nd dose 4 weeks after 1st dose. 3rd dose 4 weeks after 2nd dose.
12. Strangles (Streptococcus equi): Used killed vaccine containing M-protein only. Twice annually. 4-6 weeks pre-partum.

B. Unvaccinated or Lacking Vaccination History

1. Tetanus: 2-dose series. 2nd dose 4-6 weeks after 1st dose. Revaccinate 4-6 weeks pre-partum.
2. Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis: 2-dose series. 2nd dose 4 weeks after 1st dose. Revaccinate 4-6 weeks pre-partum.
3. Rabies: Once annually. 4-6 weeks pre-partum.
4. West Nile Virus (inactivated vaccine): 2-dose series. 2nd dose 4-6 weeks after 1st dose. Revaccinate annually in the SPRING. If possible, vaccinate mares when NOT pregnant.
5. Equine Herpesvirus (EHV): Administer "Pneumobort K" at 5, 7 and 9 months of gestation.
6. Equine Influenza: 3-dose series. 2nd dose 4-6 weeks after 1st dose. 3rd dose 4-6 weeks pre-partum.
7. Anthrax: NOT recommended during pregnancy. Otherwise, once annually.
8. Botulism: 3-dose series. 1st dose at 8 months gestation. 2nd dose 4 weeks after 1st dose. 3rd dose 4 weeks after 2nd dose. Revaccinate annually.
9. Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA): Once annually if very high risk. DO NOT vaccinate when pregnant.
10. Potomac Horse Fever (PHF): 2-dose series. 1st dose 7-9 weeks pre-partum. 2nd dose 4-6 weeks pre-partum.
11. Rotavirus: 3-dose series. 1st dose at 8 months gestation. 2nd dose 4 weeks after 1st dose. 3rd dose 4 weeks after 2nd dose.
12. Strangles (Streptococcus equi): Used killed vaccine containing M-protein only. 3-dose series. 2nd dose 2-4 weeks after 1st dose. 3rd dose 4-6 weeks pre-partum.