Rowan Highlights Slow Adoption of New Vet Vaccine Guides

Veterinary academics have flagged persistent gaps in US veterinary practice adoption of recently updated companion animal vaccination guidelines, particularly around feline vaccines. Reported on 3 August 2026, an interview with Rowan University Schreiber School of Veterinary Medicine professors Kaitlyn Krebs, DVM, MBA, and Kristen White, DVM highlights slow uptake of feline FVRCP, FeLV and canine Leptospirosis (Lepto) guideline changes despite endorsements from AAHA, ACVIM and the AVMA.

The 2020 feline guidelines introduced two significant changes. FVRCP vaccination is now recommended for an additional booster at six months of age, extending the traditional 16-to-20 week endpoint. This reflects the finding that approximately one third of kittens still carry maternal antibodies at that age, leaving them potentially unprotected. FeLV has also been reclassified as core for all kittens under one year, with two initial doses in the kitten series and a booster at one year, before reverting to lifestyle status. Krebs highlighted that adoption of both changes remains far below what would be expected given the AAHA/AAFP guideline authority.

On the canine side, updated 2022 guidelines followed by ACVIM’s 2023 Lepto statement and AAHA’s 2024 update reclassified Leptospirosis vaccination as core for all dogs regardless of lifestyle. Historically limited to hunting and rural dogs, Lepto risk now extends across urban and small-breed populations, driven by exposure to rat and wildlife contamination. Adoption of the canine change has been more rapid than the feline shift. The commercial signal is significant, opening additional recurring vaccine revenue for MSD Animal Health, Zoetis, Boehringer Ingelheim and Elanco across both FeLV and Lepto categories.

The commercial signal is a companion animal vaccine category with materially undertapped growth potential locked behind veterinarian adoption behaviour rather than product availability. MSD Animal Health’s recent NOBIVAC NXT feline launch and 14-country compliance survey point to a coordinated commercial focus on this gap. Expect continued detailing and CPD investment from MSD, Zoetis, Boehringer Ingelheim and Elanco through 2026 and 2027.

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