How often should I vaccinate my horse?
It depends on which diseases you and your veterinarian have determined your horse may be at risk for through its environment and activities.
While vaccination protocols vary from horse to horse, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) has developed a set of schedule guidelines for core and risk-based horse vaccines. Discuss with your veterinarian how these guidelines can be implemented as part of your annual horse treatment.
Young foals are more vulnerable to infection.
AAEP vaccination guidelines
Core vaccination schedule- Unvaccinated:
two-dose series,
4–6 weeks apart - Vaccinated:
annual (spring)
Three-dose series:
1st dose at 4–6 months of age, 2nd dose 4–6 weeks after the 1st dose, and
3rd dose at 10–12 months of age
- Unvaccinated:
two-dose series,
4 weeks apart; booster annually or 4-6 weeks pre-partum or before next vector season - Vaccinated:
vaccinate 4–6 weeks pre-partum
- Unvaccinated:
two-dose series. - Vaccinated:
annual (spring)
Three-dose series:
1st dose at 4–6 months of age, 2nd dose 4–6 weeks after the 1st dose and
3rd dose at 10–12 months of age
- Unvaccinated:
preferable to vaccinate when open; if at high risk, follow protocol for unvaccinated, adult horses - Vaccinated:
annual; booster
4–6 weeks pre-partum
- Unvaccinated:
single dose - Vaccinated:
annual
- Unvaccinated mare:
single dose at
4–6 months of age - Vaccinated mare:
two-dose series,
4–6 weeks apart, starting at 4–6 months of age
- Annual; booster
4–6 weeks pre-partum - OR
- Prior to breeding
- Unvaccinated:
two-dose series,
4–6 weeks apart - Vaccinated:
annual - Additional booster
in event of injury if more than 6 months since previous vaccination
Three-dose series, with intervals varying based on vaccination status of the mare
- Unvaccinated:
two-dose series,
4–6 weeks apart; booster 4–6 weeks pre-partum - Vaccinated:
annual; booster
4–6 weeks pre-partum
- Unvaccinated:
initial series varies with vaccine type - Vaccinated:
annual or semi-annual depending on risk
Two- or three-dose series with intervals varying with vaccine type
- Unvaccinated:
Inactivated vaccine: dependent on manufacturer’s product recommendation, the vaccine may be a two- or three-dose series with a three- to four-week interval between doses (IM), with the last dose administered
4–6 weeks pre-partum - Vaccinated:
Inactivated vaccine: Annually with one dose administered
4–6 weeks pre-partum
- Unvaccinated:
dependent on manufacturer’s product recommendation, the vaccine may be a two- or three-dose series with a three- to four-week interval between doses - Vaccinated:
annual; six-month booster for horses at higher risk
Three-dose series:
1st dose at 4–6 months of age, 2nd dose 4–6 weeks after the 1st dose, and
3rd dose at 10–12 months of age
Three-dose series with product against EHV abortion at 5, 7, and
9 months of gestation; also recommended to booster broodmares with a product labeled for protection against respiratory disease
4–6 weeks pre-partum
- Unvaccinated:
two-dose series,
3–4 weeks apart - Vaccinated:
annual or semi-annual, depending on risk
Two-dose series: 1st dose at 5 months of age,
2nd dose 3–4 weeks after the 1st dose
- Unvaccinated:
Two-dose series:
1st dose 7–9 weeks pre-partum, 2nd dose
4–6 weeks pre-partum - Vaccinated:
Semi-annual, with one dose given 4–6 weeks pre-partum
- Unvaccinated:
two- or three-dose series, depending on vaccine type (modified-live or killed) - Vaccinated:
semi-annual or annual, depending on risk
Three-dose series (timing of doses depends on initial vaccine type):
1st dose at 4–6 months for killed vaccine; 1st dose at 6–9 months for modified live vaccine
- Unvaccinated:
Killed vaccine:
three-dose series;
2nd dose 2–4 weeks after 1st dose, 3rd dose 4–6 weeks pre-partum - Previously vaccinated:
Killed vaccine: semi-annual with one dose given 4–6 weeks pre-partum
Note: There are no guidelines for use of modified live vaccine in broodmares
- *AAEP Adult Vaccination Chart.
- †AAEP Foal Vaccination Chart.
- Visit aaep.org for complete guidelines.
about developing your customized vaccination plan.