Advice about annual vaccination during lockdown

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Cat was due his annual jab on 30 April but our vet is not doing vaccinations at the moment due covid-19 situation.

The receptionist said to keep the cat inside as he's not fully protected without the vaccination.

Is that actually the case or will he have some protection for a while? Am hoping so as he'll go nuts if he has to stay in!

Mine were due on 2nd of May. I've not been told to keep them in. Though they are indoor cats anyway.

A vet told me the vaccines cover them for 15 months.

Thank you for replying.

I think I'll still let him out for a while as he'd be miserable inside all day. He's a big scaredy cat- only ever goes into our garden and panics and runs in if he sees any other cats or people!

I'm going to have this issue soon op. I'm more worried about it in validating my insurance for them!
I'm hoping we will just about get away with it (mine must be done by end july) but I'm still worried.

Gosh I hadn't even thought about the possibility it would impact on insurance ?!

I was told the same as @Vinorosso74, 15 months

Thank you @PinkSparklyPussyCat - Hopefully vets will be offering vaccinations before end July then!

I’ve been worried about this and I’m wondering if perhaps there could be a DIY option somehow?

@llamaviolet, I wondered that. Though I'm a nurse so it wouldn't bother me to do it at all.

Yes me too. You have a three month leeway to get them done. Which must be how cats which I got from kittens in the autumn 15 years ago have crept forwards to their vaccinations being due in May!
Really don't understand why vets aren't doing a "drop and go" thing with pets - drop the animals off at the door for their treatment and collect them half and hour later.

I have a needle phobia so won’t be volunteering to do Harry’s vaccinations - I have to turn away when he has an injection or leave the room if it’s a blood test as apparently I stress him out!

Also I’ve heard that vets are collecting animals from car parks so I can see how they might make it work.

No way could I keep my cat in!

Our garden is cat proofed so I’m not too worried if there’s a delay but I can understand if they go out

Our vet surgery is doing the 'collect from the car park' thing but only dealing with emergencies.

The feline immune system isn't so rubbish that they need vaccinations every year to keep immunity- a lot of it is business making money from pet owners. I get mine done every year but shan't be stressing if it's not done on time this summer.

That’s good to know. I am a bit worried about insurance though as it says you’re meant to keep them up to date. (And I don’t buy that insurance is a racket, ours have been brilliant when needed.)

I can't see how they'd refuse to payout for something unrelated though. We won't pay out for that car accident because the cat's not up to date on vaccinations? The chances of something going wrong in the window before you can get the cat vaccinated are very small. Do try not to worry.

Our vet has said that they have 3 month leeway, after which they need a full set of vaccinations, but the vets have an arrangement with the vaccine companies that they will be reimbursed for the extra vaccines required, so there is no cost to the customer.

That's Vets4Pets - we have all our pets on the Vaccs for Life scheme, which usually requires you to pay for any restarting of the cycle because you've missed vaccines.

Vets4Pets in my area are starting to do vaccines again, but it's book on the day and priority given to puppies/ kittens receiving a first course.

Ooh, that’s great news thanks as that’s our vet too

My pet insurance company (Bought By Many) have said that they will pay out for a claim as a result of vaccinations being delayed. If that helps anyone.

All the vaccine companies have provided technical information that adult cats who have completed a primary vaccination and had their first annual booster have up to 15 months to have their next booster.
Combined with this and supporting social distancing the RCVS/BVA advise that we should be dealing with emergencies, urgent care, puppy and kitten vaccination courses, first annual boosters and rabbit vaccinations ( theirs only just last a year and we are in high risk season).
As a practice we collect from the car park for these appointments. We have fewer staff I. The building to allow for social distancing, the appointments take at least twice as long per pet, collect from car park taking history either over phone or at distance, pet inside building with help of nurse carry out examination, phone owner to report what found discuss treatment plan and costs, back to pet and nurse carry out treatment, phone owner to give follow up advice and take payment, return pet, medication and receipts to car park.
I vaccinated 5 animals ( all primary courses) yesterday normally that would take around an hour - it took me over two hours and I was shattered at the end. Extra concentration, constantly thinking about social distancing with client as they try to walk right next me saying 'it's okay we have been isolating' - no it's not okay I am a risk to you as I see different people all day they all want to get close to me.
I foresee annual vaccinations beginning in June I don't see veterinary practice returning to normal till at least next year.
Regarding insurance companies they have all said that cover will not be affected by Covid 19 delaying vaccination the RCVS sorted them out in this within 7 days of lockdown.

My vet isn't even allowing people into the practice. Harry has to go today and will be collected from the car and returned to me after treatment.

@lonecat thank you that's nice to know I didn't realise something had already been put in place.
We have a few strays around here so I do worry my furballs would pick something up.