This is apost that was sent to me recently.
Any views on this would be great as mine are due for boosters very soon.
"Last October my dog received an annual booster vaccination and within days developed an autoimmune response. The booster had overloaded her immune system and that same immune system then attacked her own tissues.
She was put on a MASSIVE dose of immunosuppressants and now, almost three months on, is still receiving immunosuppressant treatment. I won't go into just how ill she was, or the symptoms, but the vet is amazed that she's survived.
As a result, I went looking on the net for information on vaccinations and found plenty. Typically, there was more information against the presently accepted annual schedule than for it.
It seems the annual schedule was established when drug companies promoted the concept amongst US vets in the early 80's. Unfortunately, mainly for profit reasons, but also because of poorer quality vaccines in the US than in EU.
How often do we humans need "booster" vaccinations for smallpox, TB etc? Why do dogs need them annually?
Much depends on whether a modified live virus (MLV) or killed virus is used for vaccination. In the case of parvo, if MLV is used, the school of thought seems to be a re-vac. every 3 years, while it is reckoned that a killed virus gives less than a year's protection. This article is just one of the many and is from a non-US source.
It seems that re-vaccination of dogs is yet another lottery, fraught with risks and complicated by profiteering. I've read dozens of articles and still haven't reached any firm conclusions, but I've another 9 months to go before having to make a decision. If my dog survives until then, and I do go for another re-vac, then it won't be another "all-in combination" vac, which overloaded her immune system last time. I will be looking for separate vaccines, administered around three weeks apart. Shades of MMR?"
What do you think? Any one had an experience like this or know some one who has.
Thanks in advance