How to Report a Reaction

How to Report a Vaccine Reaction

According to the 2000 Report of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and Academy of Feline Medicine Advisory Panel on Feline Vaccines, the reporting of adverse vaccine reactions is helpful in the evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of vaccines.

We believe that VAS/ISS is not only under-diagnosed, but also under-reported. Reporting adverse vaccine reactions can lead to a more accurate calculation of the true incidence of VAS/ISS.

If your cat has an adverse reaction to a vaccine, we recommend that either you or your vet report the reaction to the USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics and the Vaccine Manufacturer.

To report a vaccine reaction, use the contact information below:

USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics 1-800-752-6255

Bayer Corporation 1-800-422-8974

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health 1-800-821-7467

Elanco Animal Health 1-800-428-4441

Evesco Pharmaceuticals 1-800-387-2601

Fort Dodge Animal Health 1-800-477-1365

Heska Corporation 1-888-437-5287

Hoechst-Roussel Agri-Vet 1-800-247-4838, Ext 2

Hoffman-LaRouche Inc 1-800-526-0189

Intervet Inc 1-800-992-8051

Lloyd Laboratories 1-800-831-0004

Merial 1-888-637-4251

Novartis Animal Health 1-800-637-0281

Pfizer Animal Health 1-800-366-5288

Pharmacia & Upjohn (Bio Cor) 1-800-253-8600, Ext 56504

Schering-Plough 1-800-932-0473

Solvay Animal Health 1-800-477-1365

Synbiotics Corporation 1-800-228-4305

We also recommend the reporting of adverse reactions to non-vaccine medicines to the FDA. To report an adverse reaction to a non-vaccine medicine, you can reach the FDA by calling the center for Veterinary Medicine at: 1-800-FDA-VETS

Or to obtain a form, write to: ADE Reporting System

Center for Veterinary Medicine

U.S. Food & Drug Administration

7500 Standish Place

Rockville, MD 20855-2773

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How do I know if it's a Reaction?

Understanding that vaccinations are a medical procedure that may have harmful side effects is an important part of your decision to vaccinate. Side effects can range from a mild allergic reaction, to a rapid-onset and potentially deadly condition called anaphylactic shock, to the triggering of a vaccine related cancer.

Small lumps following vaccination that disappear several weeks after vaccination are very common. But because VAS can occur months to years after a vaccination, we recommend that you learn to take note of your cat’s body as you pet him. If you feel a lump on your cat that is still there - or occurs - more than three months after a vaccination, if it’s larger than the size of an olive, or if it seems to be getting larger just one month after vaccination, see your Veterinarian immediately.

All vaccine reactions need to be reported to both the USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics and the Vaccine Manufacturer.

VAS/ISS is not only under-diagnosed, but also under-reported. Reporting adverse vaccine reactions will lead to better and safer products and a more accurate assessment of the incidence of VAS/ISS.