In light of the class action on Hendra virus vaccine, have the anti-vaxxers successfully influenced a group of pet owners against veterinarians on vaccination in general?

Hendra virus vaccine has saved both horses and humans from death. Hendra virus, which is related to rabies, causes death by swelling of the brain and is spread by close contact between flying foxes and horses. The animals and humans appear to die in distress and great pain.  Vaccination would seem to be a “no brainer” – so why the fuss?

Hendra virus is rumoured by horse owners to have an unacceptably high rate of side effects, but reality tells a different story. Under pressure to provide more information on side effects, APVMA took the unusual step of publishing details of the vaccine’s performance CLICK HERE TO SEE.

It appears that this vaccine may have a higher rate of fever after vaccine use, but most of these are injection site reactions, pain/swelling and low grade fever. NO horses have died as a result of the vaccine.

But many horse owners have whipped themselves into a frenzy on social media, alleging adverse effects on horse performance and deaths (not attributable to the vaccine). Some owners are trying to manage the disease by managing the environment.

What happens, in this case, will be a telling sign for the future. If the case succeeds, expect legal action on any veterinarian who has an alleged “vaccine reaction” in a pet. The medical profession should be on notice as well.  The court date is unknown.