Boehringer-Ingelheim have recently communicated that ProteqFlu and ProteqFlu-Te are again out of stock in wholesalers.
ProteqFlu is expected to be available again in January, however it will take longer for ProteqFlu-Te to return to the wholesalers. Other vaccine manufacturers have very limited ability to fill the deficit and have stock on allocation for their existing customers.
VETERA® 2XP is freely available in wholesalers as an alternative to ProteqFlu (on presentation of special import certificate from the VMD) however this does not contain a tetanus antigen. There is therefore potential for a shortage of tetanus vaccinations to develop.
We would urge all practices to limit the use of tetanus vaccines to horses that are receiving primary vaccine courses or have not received a tetanus booster in the previous 2 to 3 years (except where practices have local knowledge that the horse resides in an area with particularly high tetanus risk). It is not necessary to boost tetanus immunity every year and UK vaccines are registered for use every 2 or 3 years. . Tetanus anti-toxin should be considered when treating wounds or other conditions known to increase tetanus risk, particularly with longer vaccine intervals.