Equine influenza vaccination protects horses from a highly contagious respiratory disease causing significant welfare harm, and understanding vaccination protocols supports effective protection.
Equine influenza causes significant acute welfare harm in unprotected horses through high fever, painful coughing, and prolonged debilitation that may last weeks. Complications including secondary bacterial pneumonia can cause severe prolonged illness and occasional death. Outbreaks in poorly vaccinated populations spread rapidly, causing simultaneous welfare harm across large numbers of horses. Vaccination provides highly effective protection when primary courses and boosters are maintained. The welfare case for consistent vaccination is strong: preventing a painful febrile respiratory illness that significantly impairs welfare across the duration of infection and recovery.