July 23, 2005
Dear Nancy,
In an attempt to provide pet owners with client information sheets so they do not inadvertently overvaccinate their animals, the nation’s first legislation which would have required veterinarians to provide vaccine disclosure forms was filed in Maine this year. The bill, LD 429, An Act to Require Veterinarians to Provide Vaccine Disclosure Forms was filed by Representative Peter Rines and was vigorously opposed by the Maine Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA), representing over 90% of Maine’s veterinarians.

Rather than passing a law requiring veterinarians to provide vaccine disclosures, the Legislature’s Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee (Committee) decided to give veterinarians a chance to disclose voluntarily, which they assured the Committee at February’s public hearing they had been doing. The Committee reserved the right to reintroduce the bill in 2006 if veterinarians failed to inform pet owners about vaccines’ risks and proven durations of immunity.

In a June 3, 2005 letter to MVMA, Committee Senate Chair John Nutting advised that the Committee members “strongly encourage Maine veterinarians to inform pet owners of the recommended interval for administering a vaccine and potential risks associated with that vaccine…..[w]e do, …want to emphasize the importance of information being available at veterinarian offices.”

LD 429 would have availed pet owners of information contained on Page 12 of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) 2003 Canine Vaccine Guidelines (free copies available by calling 1-303-986-2800) which state: “We now know that booster injections are of no value in dogs already immune, and immunity from distemper infection and vaccination lasts for a minimum of 7 years based on challenge studies and up to 15 years (a lifetime) based on antibody titer.” Regarding the minimum durations of immunity (DOI) for canine parvovirus, they report: “Challenge studies have shown that the minimum DOI for MLV-CPV-2 vaccines is 7 years. The minimum DOI for these same vaccines based on serological data for sterilizing immunity is up to 10 years.,” and for canine adenovirus-2 (CAV-2): “The minimum DOI for CAV-1 and CAV-2 vaccines, based on challenge immunity for CAV-1 is 7 years. The minimum DOI based on antibody titers is at least 9 years.”

Despite assurances by MVMA members that veterinarians are voluntarily giving vaccine disclosures, many Maine pet owners have not received them from their veterinarians and are still receiving notices for redundant annual and triennial booster vaccinations.

Concerned Maine pet owners may be interested in joining a national class action lawsuit that the Chicago lawfirm of Childress Duffy Goldblatt (312-494-0200 attorneys Roy R. Brandys and John Sawin) has undertaken “arising from the misrepresentation of the need for vaccinations for your pets.” The firm has posted an announcement and questionnaire on their website at http://www.childresslaw.net/CM/Custom/Custom52.asp.

Through legislation or litigation, pet owners are committed to holding veterinarians accountable for overvaccinating their animals. . If your veterinarian fails to provide you with vaccine disclosure information, contact your legislators. It is vital to companion animals’ health that owners educate themselves and demand client information sheets before vaccinating their pets.

Sincerely,
Kris L. Christine
Alna, ME 04535

Hi-great job trying to help our pets-so what is the final decision regarding puppy shots-2 shots total or 4 total? Thanks