Companion Animals

Companion Animal Welfare and Feline Vaccination and Immunity

Vaccination protects cats from severe and fatal diseases, with 2026 bringing updated protocols based on new immunity duration evidence.

Key Facts

Core vaccines for cats include feline herpesvirus, calicivirus, and panleukopenia
Duration of immunity studies show core vaccines provide protection for 3 years or more
Feline leukemia (FeLV) vaccination is recommended for outdoor cats with exposure risk
Annual boosters are not required for all vaccines - individualised protocols reduce over-vaccination
Vaccine-associated sarcoma, though rare, requires location selection and surveillance

Welfare Considerations

Vaccination prevents enormous suffering from fatal and debilitating diseases. Evidence-based vaccination protocols balance protection against over-vaccination.

What You Can Do

Establish a vaccination schedule with your vet based on your cat's lifestyle
Monitor for injection site reactions after vaccination
Avoid over-vaccination by following evidence-based protocols for your cat's risk profile