Bring Feline Intranasal Flu Vaccines Back to the UK

  • by: Chrissy Russell
  • recipient: Pfizer UK and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate

Several years ago, the Heska intranasal vaccine for cat flu was discontinued in the UK, because of reports of transient sneezing side effectes. The effect of this is that we in the UK now have to use the injectable vaccines only. With current concerns about vaccination site sarcomas many people would now prefer to use the intranasal vaccines.

Many years have now passed and there is now an alternative  intranasalcat  flu vaccine is available from Pfizer. It is called Pfizer Felocell FVR C (IN) and is used widely by breeders in the USA for litter of kittens who may be at risk of developing flu before the standard 9 week injection age. There is positive anecdotal evidence in the USA to support the use of this vaccines in kittens as young as 2 weeks old, which is indicated in the datasheet for the Pfizer Felocel FVR C (IN) vaccine. http://www.drugs.com/vet/felocell-fvr-c-in.html 

Herpesvirus and Calicivirus are a big problem for breeders in the UK who are committed to raising healthy kittens. The ability to vaccinate kittens at an earlier age will lessen the risk for them, and thus help to contain these two potentially deadly viruses. There is also less stress on the immune system generally, as the intranasal vaccines are administered straight to the site where it is needed, rather than directly into the bloodstream.

We urge Pfizer to apply for licensing to the VMD and we also urge the VMD to allow the licensing of Pfizer FVR C (IN) in the UK.

Dear Pfizer and VMD





Some years ago, intranasal vaccines for cat flu were discontinued in the UK. The effect of this is that we in the UK now have to use the injectable vaccines only. With current concerns about vaccination site sarcomas many breeders would now prefer to use the intranasal vaccine. 





Intranasal vaccines are also used widely in the USA for litters of kittens who may be at risk of developing flu before the standard 9 week injection age. There is positive anecdotal evidence in the USA to support the use of this vaccines in kittens as young as 2 weeks old, which is indicated in the datasheet for the Pfizer Felocel FVR C (IN) vaccine. http://www.drugs.com/vet/felocell-fvr-c-in.html 









Herpesvirus and Calicivirus are a big problem for breeders in the UK who are committed to raising healthy kittens. The ability to vaccinate kittens at an earlier age will lessen the risk for them, and thus help to contain these two potentially deadly viruses. There is also less stress on the immune system generally, as the intranasal vaccines are administered straight to the site where it is needed, rather than directly into the bloodstream.









We respectfully urge Pfizer to apply for licensing to the VMD and we also urge the VMD to allow the licensing of Pfizer FVR C (IN) in the UK.

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