which canine influenza vaccines are available and when is vaccination clinically indicated?

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Three canine influenza virus (CIV) vaccine formulations are currently available, all inactivated and adjuvanted for parenteral administration: a monovalent H3N8, a monovalent H3N2, and a bivalent H3N8+H3N2 product. All three are licensed only in the USA.12 The primary series requires two doses, generally 2 to 4 weeks apart, with the initial dose given as early as 6 weeks of age. Revaccination is annual thereafter.1 CIV vaccines do not prevent infection but reduce the severity and duration of clinical signs.1 Routine vaccination of all dogs is not recommended. CIV infections occur as multicentric, nonsustaining outbreaks rather than as endemic disease, which distinguishes CIV from pathogens such as canine parainfluenza virus.2 Vaccination is indicated for dogs at elevated exposure risk: those that are boarded, attend dog daycare, visit dog parks, compete at dog shows or agility events, or travel.12 Monitoring current CIV circulation — including etiologic diagnosis of canine infectious respiratory disease cases using quantitative PCR respiratory pathogen panels — should inform the decision to vaccinate individual dogs.2 When CIV vaccination is warranted, the bivalent H3N8+H3N2 product is recommended over a monovalent formulation. Although immunity to influenza viruses is primarily serotype-specific, the bivalent vaccine avoids skewing immune responses toward a single serotype, which broadens protective immunity.2 | Vaccine | Primary Series | Booster | Indication | Key Caveat | |---|---|---|---|---| | CIV H3N8 (monovalent, killed, adjuvanted, parenteral) | 2 doses, 2–4 weeks apart; from 6 weeks of age | Annually | At-risk dogs (boarded, co-mingled, travel) | Licensed USA only; does not prevent infection | | CIV H3N2 (monovalent, killed, adjuvanted, parenteral) | 2 doses, 2–4 weeks apart; from 6 weeks of age | Annually | At-risk dogs (boarded, co-mingled, travel) | Licensed USA only; does not prevent infection | | CIV H3N8+H3N2 (bivalent, killed, adjuvanted, parenteral)