583_587_Matrix vaccination guidelines.

qxp_FAB 27/05/2015 15:24 Page 583

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (2015) 17, 583–587

SPECIAL article

matrix vaccination guidelines

2015 ABCD recommendations for
indoor/outdoor cats, rescue shelter cats
and breeding catteries
Margaret J Hosie, Diane D Addie, Corine Boucraut-Baralon, Herman Egberink,
Tadeusz Frymus, Tim Gruffydd-Jones, Katrin Hartmann, Marian C Horzinek,
Albert Lloret, Hans Lutz, Fulvio Marsilio, Maria Grazia Pennisi, Alan D Radford,
Etienne Thiry, Uwe Truyen and Karin Möstl

Introduction Overview: In 2013, the ABCD published ‘Matrix

vaccination guidelines: ABCD recommendations
It was evident during the preparation of the ABCD vaccination guidelines for indoor/outdoor cats, rescue shelter cats and
that no single vaccination protocol would be appropriate for all cats across breeding catteries’ in a Special Issue of the
Europe. Rather, it is important to conduct a vaccination interview in order Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (Volume
to devise a strategy appropriate to the lifestyle, geographical location and 15, Issue 7, pages 540–544). The ABCD’s
disease risks relevant to each feline patient. These matrix vaccination vaccination recommendations were presented
guidelines, like the 2013 version, were compiled to assist veterinary sur- in tabulated form, taking into account that there
geons during the vaccination interview, summarising the ABCD’s vaccine is no universal vaccination protocol for all cats.
recommendations. The ‘core’ vaccines should be administered to all cats, To support the veterinarian’s decision making,
whereas ‘circumstantial’ vaccines are required under specific circum- recommendations for four lifestyles were made:
stances (eg, for cats travelling to areas where rabies is endemic, or cats with for cats with outdoors access, cats kept solely
outdoor access and therefore at risk of infection with FeLV), and ‘non-core’ indoors, rescue shelter cats and cats in breeding
vaccines are recommended only for cats at risk of specific infections. catteries. This update article follows the same
approach, offering current and, where relevant,
Abbreviations used in the matrix tables expanded recommendations.

DOI Duration of immunity

FCV Feline calicivirus
FCoV/FIP Feline coronavirus/feline infectious peritonitis
FeLV Feline leukaemia virus
FHV Feline herpesvirus
FPV Feline panleukopenia virus European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases
MDA Maternally-derived antibodies The European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD) is
MLV Modified-live vaccine a body of experts in immunology, vaccinology and clinical
PV Primary vaccination course feline medicine that issues guidelines on prevention and
management of feline infectious diseases in Europe,
for the benefit of the health and welfare of cats. The
Funding guidelines are based on current scientific knowledge of
the diseases and available vaccines concerned.
The authors received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public,
commercial or not-for-profit sectors for the preparation of this article. The ABCD The latest version of the guidance presented
in this article is available at
is supported by Merial, but is a scientifically independent body and its members
www.abcdcatsvets.org and www.abcd-vets.org
receive no stipends from Merial.

Conflict of interest

The authors do not have any potential conflicts of interest to declare.

European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases

www.abcdcatsvets.org
www.abcd-vets.org
Corresponding author: Margaret J Hosie
Email: [email protected]

DOI: 10.1177/1098612X15590732
© Published by SAGE on behalf of ISFM and AAFP 2015 JFMS CLINICAL PRACTICE 583
584
OUTDOOR CATS
(cats that have access outdoors and contact with other cats from outdoors)
Vaccination of outdoor cats

Vaccine/ Kitten Adult cat Comments

disease agent Primary vaccination course
PV1 PV2 PV3 Final PV/ Vaccinated Vaccinated Unvaccinated/

JFMS CLINICAL PRACTICE

first booster <3 years ago >3 years ago no vaccine history

FPV 8–9 weeks 12 weeks 16 weeks 1 year later One immunisation, One immunisation, One immunisation; Do not use MLV in kittens <4 weeks
(in certain boost every 3 years boost every 3 years boost 1 year later, of age
situations) or more or more then every 3 years Do not use MLV in pregnant cats
or more
S P E C I A L a r t i c l e / Matrix vaccination guidelines

FHV 8–9 weeks 12 weeks – 1 year later One immunisation, Two immunisations Two immunisations Recovered cats should be
boost annually 2–4 weeks apart, 2–4 weeks apart, vaccinated

Core
boost annually boost 1 year later
FCV 8–9 weeks 12 weeks 16 weeks (if high 1 year later One immunisation, Two immunisations Two immunisations Recovered cats should be
583_587_Matrix vaccination guidelines.qxp_FAB 27/05/2015 15:25 Page 584

risk or expected boost annually 2–4 weeks apart, 2–4 weeks apart, vaccinated with different FCV
high MDA) boost annually boost 1 year later vaccine strains

FeLV 8–9 weeks 12 weeks – 1 year later Boost every 2–3 Two immunisations Two immunisations Cats of uncertain FeLV status should
years after 3 years 2–4 weeks apart, 2–4 weeks apart, be tested prior to vaccination (unless
of age boost 1 year later boost 1 year later risk of FeLV is considered very low)
and vaccinated if negative

Rabies virus 12–16 weeks. – – 1 year later Some vaccines’ One immunisation One immunisation Vaccinate in endemic areas only –
Single DOI is 3 years, but refer to national and regional
immunisation legislation may legislation for booster frequency
require annual

Circumstantial
boosters

FCoV/FIP Not before 3 weeks – 1 year later One immunisation, Two immunisations, Two immunisations, Intranasal vaccine against FIP is
16 weeks later boost annually boost annually boost annually available in some European countries.
Only vaccinate seronegative cats
Chlamydia felis 8–9 weeks 12 weeks – 1 year later One immunisation, Two immunisations Two immunisations Where cats are kept together
boost annually 2–4 weeks apart, 2–4 weeks apart, long term, vaccinate regularly
boost 1 year later boost 1 year later

Bordetella 1 month or – – 1 year later One immunisation One immunisation One immunisation Do not use MLV in kittens <4 weeks

Non-core
bronchiseptica older. Single in high-density in high-density in high-density of age. Consider vaccination when
immunisation populations only, populations only, populations only, there is contact with dogs. Vaccine
boost annually boost annually boost annually available in some European countries.
Vaccinate in high-density areas where
Bordetella is confirmed
See page 583 for explanation of vaccine categories (core, circumstantial and non-core) and abbreviations. Image courtesy of www.sureflap.co.uk
 INDOOR CATS
(cats that have no contact with cats from outdoors)
Vaccination of indoor cats

Vaccine/ Kitten Adult cat Comments

disease agent Primary vaccination course
PV1 PV2 PV3 Final PV/ Vaccinated Vaccinated Unvaccinated /
first booster <3 years ago >3 years ago no vaccine history
FPV 8–9 weeks 12 16 weeks 1 year later One immunisation, One immunisation, One immunisation, Do not use MLV in kittens
weeks (in certain boost every 3 years boost every 3 years boost 1 year later, then <4 weeks of age. Pregnant cats
situations) or more or more every 3 years or more should not be vaccinated

FHV 8–9 weeks 12 – 1 year later One immunisation, Two immunisations Two immunisations Recovered cats should be
weeks boost every 3 years* 2–4 weeks apart, 2–4 weeks apart, vaccinated
boost 1 year later boost 1 year later

Core
FCV 8–9 weeks 12 16 weeks (if high 1 year later One immunisation, Two immunisations Two immunisations Recovered cats should be
weeks risk or expected boost every 3 years* 2–4 weeks apart, 2–4 weeks apart, vaccinated with different FCV
583_587_Matrix vaccination guidelines.qxp_FAB 27/05/2015 15:25 Page 585

high MDA) boost 1 year later boost 1 year later vaccine strains

Rabies virus 12–16 weeks. – – 1 year later One immunisation. One immunisation One immunisation Only vaccinate if required by local
Single Some vaccines’ DOI legislation and refer to national
immunisation is 3 years, but and regional legislation for booster
legislation may frequency

CS
require annual
boosters

FeLV 8–9 weeks 12 – 1 year later Boost every 2–3 Two immunisations Two immunisations Only vaccinate if there is contact
weeks years after 3 years 2–4 weeks apart, 2–4 weeks apart, with FeLV-positive cats or those of
of age boost 1 year later boost 1 year later unknown FeLV status
FCoV/FIP Not before 3 – 1 year later One immunisation, Two immunisations, Two immunisations, Intranasal vaccine against FIP
16 weeks weeks boost annually boost annually boost annually is available in some European
later countries. Only vaccinate
seronegative cats
Chlamydia felis 8–9 weeks 12 – 1 year later One immunisation, Two immunisations Two immunisations Where cats are kept together
weeks boost annually 2–4 weeks apart, 2–4 weeks apart, long term, vaccinate regularly
boost 1 year later boost 1 year later

Non-core
Bordetella 1 month or – – 1 year later One immunisation One immunisation One immunisation Do not use MLV in kittens <4 weeks
bronchiseptica older. One in high-density in high-density in high-density of age. Consider vaccination where
immunisation populations only, populations only, populations only, there is contact with dogs. Vaccine
in high-density boost annually boost annually boost annually available in some European
populations countries. Vaccinate in high-density

JFMS CLINICAL PRACTICE

only areas where Bordetella is
confirmed

See page 583 for explanation of vaccine categories (core, CS [circumstantial] and non-core) and abbreviations. *Boost annually if using a boarding cattery. Image ©iStockphoto.com/Kevin Russ

585
S P E C I A L a r t i c l e / Matrix vaccination guidelines
586
RESCUE SHELTER CATS
(cats living in centres for unowned and abandoned cats)
Vaccination of rescue shelter cats

Vaccine/ Kitten Adult cat Comments

disease agent Primary vaccination course
PV1 PV2 PV3 Final PV/ Vaccinated Vaccinated Unvaccinated/
first booster <3 years ago >3 years ago no vaccination history

JFMS CLINICAL PRACTICE

FPV 6 weeks 3–4 3–4 weeks 1 year later Booster vaccinations One immunisation, One immunisation, Do not use MLV in kittens <4 weeks
(4 weeks if weeks later until at 3 year intervals then at 3 year boost 1 year later, then of age
needed) later 16 weeks intervals at 3 year intervals
FHV 6 weeks 3–4 3–4 weeks 1 year later One immunisation, Two immunisations Two immunisations
S P E C I A L a r t i c l e / Matrix vaccination guidelines

(4 weeks if weeks later until boost annually 2–4 weeks apart, 2–4 weeks apart, Vaccinate new cats as soon as
needed) later 12 weeks boost 1 year later boost 1 year later possible

Core
FCV 6 weeks 3–4 3–4 weeks 1 year later One immunisation, Two immunisations Two immunisations Vaccinate new cats as soon as
(4 weeks if weeks later until boost annually 2–4 weeks apart, 2–4 weeks apart, possible. Due to high antigenic
583_587_Matrix vaccination guidelines.qxp_FAB 27/05/2015 15:25 Page 586

needed) later 16 weeks boost 1 year later boost 1 year later variation of strains, recovered cats
should be vaccinated

Rabies virus 12–16 weeks. – – 1 year later Some vaccines’ DOI One immunisation, One immunisation, In endemic areas: handle all strays with
Single is 3 years, but boost 1 year later boost 1 year later caution, as potentially infected.

CS
immunisation legislation may require Vaccinate only in endemic areas – refer
annual boosters to national and regional legislation

FeLV 8–9 weeks 12 – 1 year later Boost every 2–3 years Quarantine and Quarantine and Not needed if no contact with other
weeks after 3 years of age test before two test before two cats
immunisations 2–4 immunisations 2–4
weeks apart, weeks apart,
boost 1 year later boost 1 year later
FCoV/FIP First 3 – 1 year later – Two immunisations Two immunisations Intranasal vaccine against FIP is
immunisation weeks 2–4 weeks apart, 2–4 weeks apart, available in some European countries.
from 16 weeks later boost 1 year later boost 1 year later Only vaccinate seronegative cats

Chlamydia felis 8–9 weeks 12 – 1 year later One immunisation, Two immunisations Two immunisations Where cats are kept close together

Non-core
weeks boost annually 2–4 weeks apart, 2–4 weeks apart, long term, vaccinate regularly
boost 1 year later boost 1 year later

Bordetella One – – 1 year later One immunisation, One immunisation, One immunisation, Do not use MLV in kittens <4 weeks of
bronchiseptica immunisation boost annually boost annually boost annually age. Vaccine available in some European
in cats 1 month countries. Vaccinate in high-density
or older areas where Bordetella is confirmed

See page 583 for explanation of vaccine categories (core, CS [circumstantial] and non-core) and abbreviations. Image ©iStockphoto.com/Dwight Smith
 BREEDING CATTERIES
(cats in any multi-cat environment used for breeding purposes)

Available online at jfms.com

Vaccination of cats in a breeding cattery

Vaccine/ Kitten Breeding cats Comments

disease agent Primary vaccination course
PV1 PV2 PV3 Final PV/
first booster

FPV 8–9 weeks 12 weeks 16–20 1 year later Boost queens 3 yearly, or annually before Do not use MLV in kittens <4 weeks of age.
weeks breeding if low MDA is a concern Pregnant cats should not be vaccinated
FHV 8–9 weeks 12 weeks – 1 year later Boost queens annually and before breeding Recovered cats should be vaccinated. Consider
earlier vaccination in litters from queens that have
583_587_Matrix vaccination guidelines.qxp_FAB 27/05/2015 15:25 Page 587

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had infected litters previously. In special
circumstances kittens can be vaccinated from
4–6 weeks of age, then every 2 weeks until

Core
12 weeks of age
FCV 8–9 weeks 12 weeks 16 weeks 1 year later Boost queens annually and before breeding Recovered cats should be vaccinated. In special
circumstances kittens can be vaccinated from
4–6 weeks of age, then every 2 weeks until
12 weeks of age

Rabies virus 12–16 weeks. – – 1 year later Some vaccines’ DOI is 3 years, but legislation Only vaccinate if required by local legislation
Single may require annual boosters of queens

CS
immunisation

FeLV 8–9 weeks 12 weeks – 1 year later Boost queens every 2–3 years after 3 years Breeding catteries should be FeLV negative.
Vaccination not needed unless there is access to
outdoors and in a high-risk geographical area

FCoV/FIP Not before 3 weeks later – 1 year later Boost queens annually Intranasal vaccine against FIP is available in
16 weeks some European countries. Only vaccinate
seronegative cats
Chlamydia felis 8–9 weeks 12 weeks – 1 year later Boost queens annually –

Non-core
Bordetella One – – 1 year later Boost queens annually Do not use MLV in kittens <4 weeks of age.
bronchiseptica immunisation Vaccine available in some European countries.

JFMS CLINICAL PRACTICE

in cats 1 month Vaccinate in catteries where Bordetella is
or older confirmed

See page 583 for explanation of vaccine categories (core, CS [circumstantial] and non-core) and abbreviations. Image ©iStockphoto.com/oksun70

587
S P E C I A L a r t i c l e / Matrix vaccination guidelines