The WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines Group (VGG) was convened in 2006. The first guidelines were produced in 2007 and updated in 2010 and again in 2015. Guidelines for pet owners and breeders were produced in 2010 and updated in 2015.
In 2012-2014 the VGG worked in Asia and subsequently published guidelines for veterinarians in that continent. Next, the VGG worked in Latin America and produced another set of regional guidelines (2016-2019).
The VGG has had a sole sponsor – MSD Animal Health – throughout its history.
Mission
To produce and periodically update global vaccination guidelines for the dog and cat. To produce and periodically update information on vaccination for pet owners and breeders. To conduct regional projects assessing small companion animal infectious disease and vaccinology in those regions.
Vision
To provide evidence-based scientific advice to the global veterinary profession on optimum vaccination practice for dogs and cats.
Objectives
To provide continuing education on vaccinology.
Vaccination Guidelines Interview: Michael Day - Japanese
Vaccination Guidelines Article 01: Michael Day - Japanese
Vaccination Guidelines Article 02: Michael Day - Japanese
Vaccination Guidelines Article: Michael Day - Russian
Vaccination Guidelines Article: Michael Day - Czech
Small Animal Vaccination, a Practical Guide for UK Vets: Michael Day
Chair(s)
Prof. Mary Marcondes
Mary Marcondes qualified as a veterinary surgeon from the University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil, and completed a Residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine and Surgery at the same University. She holds an MSc in Clinical Veterinary Science from São Paulo State University (UNESP) and a PhD in Clinical Veterinary Science from the University of São Paulo (USP). Mary held postdoctoral positions in infectious diseases at the Department of Pathology, University of São Paulo Medical School, and at Dr Janet Foley’s Laboratory in Infectious Disease, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis. She worked at São Paulo State University from 1992 to 2018, from where she retired as an Associate Professor of small animal internal medicine and infectious diseases. Her research focuses on companion-animal infectious diseases. Currently, she serves as the Chair of the WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines Group (VGG) and is a member of the AFSCAN Project Board (WSAVA Foundation). She continues an active program of delivering continuing education in vaccinology and management of vector-borne and infectious diseases.
Members
Dr Cynda Crawford
Dr. Crawford is a Clinical Assistant Professor in Shelter Medicine and Director of the Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program , an educational and discovery initiative with a global impact on the healthcare and welfare of homeless animals. Her areas of expertise include diagnosis, treatment, management, and prevention of infectious diseases in dogs and cats in sheltering facilities. She focuses on diagnosis and management of viruses and bacteria that cause respiratory infections in shelter dogs. Dr. Crawford’s accomplishments include discovery of canine influenza virus and development of the canine influenza vaccine. Educational achievements include partnering with Dr Julie Levy to develop the Professional Certificate in Shelter Medicine for advanced training of veterinary students in the knowledge and skills to serve as veterinarians in shelters.
Dr Julia Beatty
Jules graduated from the RVC in 1989 and has worked in shelter, primary and referral practice in the UK, Sydney and Hong Kong. She holds a PhD in virology from the University of Glasgow, Fellowship of the ANZCVS in Feline Medicine, is an RCVS-recognised Specialist in Feline Medicine and was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for meritorious contribution to knowledge.
Jules’s research on companion animal infectious diseases has led to the discovery of several novel feline viruses, including the feline hepatitis-B virus. In her current role as Chair Professor in Veterinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases at the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, at City University, she led the establishment of the first clinical veterinary department in Hong Kong. Jules is also the founding Director of the Centre for Animal Health at Welfare at CityU and Professor Emerita at the University of Sydney.Dr Nathaniel Whitley
Nat graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1992, and pursued advanced clinical training at the Universities of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. After a year teaching at Sydney University he then focussed on immunology research, gaining a PhD from the University of Bristol for studies on novel mucosal peptide therapies for autoimmunity. In 2005 he joined Davies Veterinary Specialists, one of the UK’s leading private referral practices, as a medicine and cardiology clinician, where he has held a number of clinical and management positions, including Head of Medicine, and was the first to hold the post of Clinical Director.
Nat is a Diplomate of both the American and European Colleges of Veterinary Internal Medicine. He holds the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ Certificate in Veterinary Cardiology and was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2017 for meritorious contributions to clinical practice.
Nat continues to enjoy providing high level care for referred patients, and teaching interns and residents. He has served on a number of committees for ECVIM and BSAVA, and has provided extensive continuing education for the profession in the field of internal medicine, especially immunology. He has authored and edited numerous scientific journal articles and contributed to the recent ACVIM consensus statement on the treatment of immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia in dogs. His main interests in immunology are immune-mediated haematological diseases, immunosuppressive drug therapy, and the relationship between putative triggers and onset or relapse of immune-mediated conditions.
Dr Michael Lappin
Dr Jerzy Gawor
Executive Board Liaison