Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The World Veterinary Association and Health For Animals launched World Animal Vaccination Day in 2016 to educate people on being responsible for their animals, whether they are companion animals or livestock. It is observed by the veterinary profession to emphasize that prevention is better than cure, and that vaccination is an important part of responsible pet care.

Though not an issue in American Samoa (hopefully never), vaccinating just 70% of the dog population is enough to eliminate the risk of rabies infections in people. The lives of animals, humans, and plants are linked, so vaccination reduces exposure to zoonotic diseases. Zoonotic disease are those diseases transmitted from animals to humans.  Studies suggests that 75% of all new human pathogens originate from animals.

Routine dog vaccinations should be given as a series one month apart sometimes starting at 8 weeks of age with this vaccination repeated or boostered at 12 weeks and 16 weeks of age.   Most importantly are vaccinations at 12 weeks and 16 weeks of age.  The diseases covered include Distemper, Parvovirus, Infectious hepatitis and Parainfluenza most commonly abbreviated as DHPP.

Routine cat vaccinations include viral disease and a bacterial disease.  It is abbreviated FRCCP.  It covers diseases of Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, Calici virus and Chlamydia psittaci.

Sources of further information on vaccinations can be found at AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) or AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) or FVE (Federation of Veterinarians of Europe) web sites.

Keep your pets and yourselves Safe and Healthy!