Pets don't need shots every year Experts say annual vaccines waste money, can be risky
What many pet owners don't know, researchers say, is that most yearly vaccines for dogs and cats are a waste of money -- and potentially deadly. Shots for the most important pet diseases last three to seven years, or longer, and annual shots put pets at greater risk of vaccine-related problems.
The Texas Department of Health is holding public hearings to consider changing the yearly rabies shot requirement to once every three years. Thirty-three other states already have adopted a triennial rabies schedule. Texas A&M University's and most other veterinary schools now teach that most shots should be given every three years.
"Not only are these vaccines unnecessary, they're causing harm to pets."
Just as humans don't need a measles shot every year, neither do dogs or cats need annual injections for illnesses such as parvo, distemper or kennel cough. Even rabies shots are effective for at least three years.
Dog vaccines/Minimum duration of immunity Canine rabies 3 years Canine parainfluenza 3 years Canine distemper (Onderstepoort strain) 5 years Canine distemper (Rockborn strain) 7 years Canine adenovirus (kennel cough) 7 years Canine parvovirus 7 years