Vaccinations
To gain immunity, your kitten will need a series of booster vaccinations听every 2-4 weeks between 6-16 weeks of age. After this, they will need a booster vaccination every 1- 3-years depending on the recommended vaccination schedule.
Due to supply problems, there is a shortage of feline vaccines in Australia, and this is expected to continue in 2024. Please get in touch with our clinic to discuss your kitten's vaccination schedule.
There are several types of vaccinations that your kitten may require throughout their life:
The听F3 vaccine听is a core vaccine that protects against听Feline Rhinotracheitis听(Herpesvirus),听Feline Panleukopenia听(Feline Parvovirus) and听Feline Calicivirus. Adult cats require a booster听every 3-years听(indoor cats)听or annually听(indoor/outdoor cats).
At UVTHS, the F3 vaccine is currently prioritised for kittens and existing clients, including adult cats.
The听FIV vaccine听protects against听Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. This vaccination is only recommended for cats that roam outdoors and fight other cats, or that come into contact with an FIV positive cat. The prevalence of FIV in NSW is 15%. However, vaccination against FIV only has 50% efficacy. Adult cats require a booster听every 12-months.
The听FeLV vaccine听protects against听Feline Leukemia Virus. This vaccination is only recommended for cats living in high-density multi-cat households, cats that roam outdoors in an area with a high cat density, and cats living in shelters. The prevalence of FeLV in NSW is 10%. Adult cats require a booster听every 12-months听for 2-3 years.
Infectious diseases can be picked up through direct contact with infected cats, or through contact with infected environments. Your kitten should not be allowed to play outdoors in public areas until听10-14 days following their final vaccination听to ensure their immunity.
Vaccination schedule
We recommend the following vaccination schedule for your kitten:
| Age | Vaccination |
|---|---|
| 6-8 weeks | 1st vaccination,听F3 vaccine +/- FIV vaccine |
| 10-12 weeks | 2nd vaccination,听F3 vaccine +/- FIV/FeLV vaccines |
| 14-16 weeks | 3rd vaccination,听F3 vaccine +/- FIV/FeLV vaccines |
| 16 weeks (if third vaccination given at 14-weeks of age) | 4th vaccination,听F3 vaccine |
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We recommend giving a听F3 booster听to your kitten at听6-9 months听of age to ensure complete protection. After this,听indoor only cats听will need a听F3 booster every 3-years. Cats that have access to the听outdoors听will need an听F2 booster vaccine听(which covers Feline Rhinotracheitis and Calicivirus) every 12-months in-between the tri-annual F3 boosters.