The following information is written with information from Rocky Bigbie, DVM, a representative of Fort Dodge Animal Health. Fort Dodge produces the West Nile virus vaccine.


Q: Why should we vaccinate now if adequate protection will be in force after mosquito season?


A: Complete protection is not in place until two weeks after the booster, which can be given three weeks after the initial vaccinations. Beginning vaccination now would protect horses by mid-October. Even if we have frosts before mid-October, which would kill adult mosquitoes, the eggs would not be killed. When the weather warmed up the adults produced from those eggs would be infected (there is transgenerational passage of the virus). There have been cases in North Carolina and New York through November in years past

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