Vaccinations
NZVA position statements
NZVA's position is that every dog and cat should be appropriately immunised, and each individual animal should be vaccinated as frequently as considered necessary by their veterinarian to provide protection.
The welfare of the animal should be the primary consideration when discussing vaccination, and vaccines to be used should be determined within a veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
Read our 'Vaccine Use in Cats and Dogs' policy
Read our 'Vaccine Use in Cats and Dogs' Member Technical Note
Client information sheet: Vaccinating your pet
The Companion Animal Veterinarians (CAV) branch of the NZVA has developed an information sheet to help veterinarians talk to clients about vaccine-associated adverse events. These events are very uncommon and, when they do occur, they are usually mild. Veterinarians have an obligation to let clients know about the risks associated with administering vaccines. However, it's important to remind clients that vaccinating pets is a safe, effective practice that is critical to preventing and controlling infectious disease outbreaks.
