Equine Influenza and Tetanus Immunisation: Evaluation of Antibody Response and Safety of Equip® FT and Equip® F Administration After Reduction of the Primary Course Interval to 3 Weeks

Aims: A 6-week interval is currently recommended during the primary course of the equine influenza (EI) vaccines Equip® FT or Equip® F. This study aimed to evaluate immunogenicity and safety of a 3-week accelerated interval in order to improve flexibility and to reduce the period of susceptibility to EI virus (EIV) infection.

Methods: Three groups of 10 ponies were respectively vaccinated with the vaccine Equip® FT according to the recommended 6- week V1–V2 interval (T02), Equip® F or Equip® FT according to an experimental accelerated 3-week interval (T03 and T04, respectively). These groups were boosted (V3) with Equip® F 5 months after V2. Ten ponies in a control group were injected with saline (T01). The antibody response to the vaccine antigens (tetanus toxoid and EIV) were measured 2 weeks after V2 and V3 with the toxin binding inhibition test (ToBI) and single radial haemolysis (SRH), respectively. All animal work received ethical approval. [...]