You may have seen that there is currently a shortage of vaccinations for equine influenza. This has arisen due to supply difficulties being experienced by one of the largest manufacturers of equine influenza vaccines, Boehringer Ingelheim. It is hoped that this will be resolved by the end of October or shortly after this date.
The British Carriagedriving Rule Book currently states in Annex 11:
1.3.4 Booster vaccinations must be administered at a maximum of 12 month intervals, the same day in each year being acceptable for these purposes, however Horses competing in Events must have received a booster within 6 months +21 days (and not within 7 days) before arrival at the Event.
British Carriagedriving, as a short term measure, are removing the requirement for a vaccination to have been administered within 6 months of the event but recommend that annual boosters are maintained. We recommend that any member in a situation where this is impossible to achieve should contact the BC office for further guidance.
We have recommended that members are extra vigilant and implement the strictest bio-security protocols when competing.
Further information will be circulated in due course.