Cat vaccine shortage

[LemonViolet]

Thought I may as well spread the word as I think this is a nationwide problem. Yesterday at work (vets) we have been informed there are suddenly very limited cat vaccination supplies, this is affecting all vaccine brands, we cannot order any vaccines at all from our wholesaler, and have only been limited to a small limited supply per practice from the pharma companies based on previous use. For us, this is barely 3 weeks supply at normal use, with no indication of when we would get any further supply, possibly not for many months.

Our company has immediately cancelled all booster vaccinations and we are saving supplies for kittens primary vacc courses.

If your vet cannot vaccinate your cat at the moment please be understanding! It is totally out of our control. Our work days are generally horrendous at the moment as it is with massive increase in caseload and staff shortages. I am dreading the complaints and unhappy cat owners when this hits on Monday.

Oh my word! This is startling news but so glad your vets are saving the important vaccines for new kittens who need them the most. Thank you for sharing this important news to cat owners. I would imagine it will be a similar thing for dog owners in the near future??

We were told dog supplies not as severely affected as cat vaccines at the moment but monitoring situation closely and may go same way. Similarly can’t order any brands from wholesalers but we were allocated more in reserved allocation direct from the pharma company.

Just please be understanding with your vets, vet nurses and receptionists! It’s totally out of our hands.

I am a vet nurse and haven't been made aware of the issue. Any links

Our vet sent an email yesterday about this. First vaccinations and those overdue or close to 3 months from when their boosters are due are to be prioritised. They cited a combination of Covid and Brexit.

My cat had a booster vaccine a few days ago and nothing was mentioned.

Just raised this, and yes there is an issue.

We didn’t know a few days ago - communications went from “there may be a supply issue” to “cancel everything!!!” within a few hours yesterday!

I don’t understand the underlying issue - the statements just say “Europe wide shortage” and it is all vaccine brands at once.

I have just had my cats vaccinations cancelled. He was meant to have it on Monday. I understand about the shortage it is not the vets fault. I just hope that he can have it before his 12 weeks are up else he might have to start all over again. He will be relieved that he doesn't have to go in a carrier to the vets (he hates it). He is on a waiting list so we will just have to wait and see what happens.

Yes there is certainly an issue. Our clinic has just managed to get a supply but we had more or less run out and it was touch and go. We are now having to ration their use - no boosters, kitten vaccines only.

Kitten and first vaccines only that should say.

Wow, we had our booster yesterday. Glad we got it. They didn't mention anything.

I have a appointment today for my cats booster shot. They just called and said there is a national shortage, so he won't be able to have it. They are asking us to call in December to check on stock. We're in Hampshire.

Does prioritising kittens mean both the ones at eight weeks as well as twelve weeks does anyone know? Thank you!

9 and 12 weeks usually, but it will depend on individual practices supplies. Currently we are putting 2nd doses aside reserved for each patient when they have their first dose, to make sure they can complete the course.

I've had the same. My cat is currently unvaccinated.

Are cats being prioritised if their boosters are running out? Mine is due next month. I know they can go over by 12 weeks but we also have a holiday booked and will be using a cattery so worried they won’t accept her if we can’t get her booster done.

Again it’ll depend on the individual practices supplies. We do not have enough for adult cats who have had multiple years previous boosters and immunity would likely last a lot longer than 3 months overdue. They are low risk. We have written some letters for catteries already for cases like this, it’s up to the catteries to decide what they accept. Some major insurance companies have confirmed that it will not affect insurance coverage if boosters go out of date due to the shortage.