VMD issues response following media Leptospira vaccine concerns

The VMD has issued reassurance to vets, and through them dog owners, following media reports and social media concerns raised about vaccines containing four strains of Leptospira bacteria.

The directorate said it was aware of reports and concerns following cases of serious adverse events in dogs given a vaccine containing four strains of Leptospira bacteria.

Reassure

In a statement on its website and showing figures updated on 11 July, the VMD said: “We would like to reassure vets, and through them dog owners, that we are constantly reviewing adverse event report data to ensure that the benefits of each UK licensed veterinary medicine product outweighs the risk posed by their potential side effects.

“There are a number of vaccines authorised in the UK containing either two (L2) or four (L4) strains of Leptospira. Based on the most recent periodic safety update report data received for each product, the incidence of adverse animal reactions for all L2 vaccine products combined is 0.017%; for L4 vaccine products, this figure is 0.055%.

“In other words, the VMD has received fewer than 2 adverse reactions for L2 and fewer than 6 for L4 for every 10,000 doses sold. This includes every suspected adverse event reported – even cases that were considered unclassifiable or were later found to be unrelated to the vaccine.”

Rare

The directorate concluded: “The overall incidence of suspected adverse reactions for both L2 and L4 vaccine products is, therefore, considered to be rare.”

Further VMD information for vets is available via the VMD’s website.