Cat Feline Vaccination Schedule Updates

Vaccination protocols for cats are updated as duration of immunity research advances. Following current evidence-based recommendations avoids both under and over-vaccination.

Key Facts

WSAVA guidelines recommend triennial core vaccination for cats following primary course and first annual booster
Non-core vaccines including FeLV should be given based on lifestyle risk assessment not routinely to all cats
Serum antibody titer testing can confirm adequate immunity before routine booster decisions
Feline injection-site sarcomas associated with adjuvanted vaccines prompted development of non-adjuvanted alternatives
Cats with unknown vaccination history should receive primary course treatment rather than single booster

Welfare Considerations

Both under-vaccination leaving cats susceptible to preventable serious disease and over-vaccination with unnecessary repeat boosters represent welfare concerns. Modern duration of immunity data shows many cats maintain protective immunity for three or more years after appropriate primary vaccination. Tailoring vaccination to individual risk and using titer testing where appropriate optimizes protection while minimizing unnecessary interventions.

What You Can Do

Ask your vet to follow current WSAVA or national vaccination guidelines rather than annual all-vaccine boosters
Request titer testing if uncertain whether immunity from previous vaccination is still adequate
Discuss lifestyle risk assessment to determine which non-core vaccines are appropriate for your cat
Ensure any cat with unknown history receives complete primary course vaccination
Choose non-adjuvanted vaccines where available to reduce injection site reaction risk