RDA Free Vaccine Scheme
For a number of years, pharmaceutical companies have supplied free vaccines for RDA Equines ‘who contribute a significant amount of their time doing RDA activities’. The vaccine companies involved have been supplying several hundred doses every year, and it is important to ensure that their charity is not abused. Please be aware, it covers the cost of the vaccine only and not the cost of travel services or call out.
To claim your free vaccine you will need to print out the form relating to the vaccine reimbursement scheme to the right of this page. The form will need to be signed by a Trustee of the group and the Vet who administered the vaccines. The group should keep the original and then send a copy to the relevant participating pharmaceutical company, this will depend on the type of vaccine administered (your Vet will advise if you aren’t sure) The Veterinary practice will then be reimbursed on a quarterly basis.
The vaccine companies which support this scheme are:
- Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd, Ellesfield Avenue, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 8YS
- MSD Animal Health, Companion Animal Business Unit, Walton Manor, Walton, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK7 7AJ
- Zoetis UK Ltd, Walton Oaks, Dorking Road, Walton-on-the-Hill, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 7NS
RDA Vaccine Requirements
- The equine must receive a primary course of two injections against equine influenza given no less than 21 days and no more than 92 days apart
- Only these first two injections need to be given before the horse may compete
- In addition, a FIRST booster injection must be given no less than 150 days and no more than 215 days after the second injection of the primary course.
- Subsequent booster injections must be given at intervals of not more than one year apart, commencing after the first booster injection.
- For horses that started a course of vaccinations in 2024, the interval between these two vaccines is required to be no less than 21 days and no more than 60 days.
- In addition, a third vaccination needs to be given. For horses that started their vaccination course before 2024, this third vaccination must be given between 150 and 215 days after the date of the second vaccination. For horses that started a vaccination course in 2024, the third vaccination must be given no less than 120 days and no more than 180 days after the second injection of the primary course.
- Any horse that has previously had a compliant primary course of vaccines, and compliant subsequent boosters does not need to re start the vaccination process. Any horse that has had the first or second vaccinations in 2023, and is due the second or third vaccination in 2024, either the old or new date range can be used for subsequent injections in the primary course.
- Equines competing in Regional Qualifiers must have been vaccinated within previous twelve months unless venue requests six months.
- Subsequent booster injections must be given at intervals of not more than one calendar year apart, commencing after the first booster injection. Those horses attending the RDA National Championships must have received a subsequent vaccination in the preceding 6 months of the event.
- None of these injections can be given within the seven days before the day of competing or entry into competition, whichever is sooner. Passports & Vaccinations All equines travelling to competitions must have a valid passport from which the equines identification can be verified. The passport must contain all vaccination details which must be up to date, completely and clearly recorded, signed and stamped by a veterinary surgeon, who is not the owner of the animal. Passports with missing, altered, unclear or incomplete vaccine records will not be accepted and entry to events may be refused. The passport must travel with the equine at all times.
- Those horses attending the RDA National Championships must have received a subsequent vaccination in the preceding 6 months of the event. RDA reserve the right to amend these vaccination rules.
See our guide on how to spot if your horses vaccines are correct in their passport.
What is Equine Flu?
Equine Influenza, sometimes referred to as equine flu or horse flu, is a highly contagious respiratory infection.
An infected horse will show clinical signs similar to those of human flu and will be infectious for about a week. Tens of thousands of horses can be affected by one outbreak. Although rarely fatal, it can have a huge impact on competition and breeding due to restriction of horse movements.
Signs of infection