VACCINATIONS AGAINST EQUINE INFLUENZA FOR 2019

 

1) The amount of travelling and mixing of polo ponies during the polo season increases the risk of a flu outbreak that could bring polo to a halt, at least in the main polo regions and that this could in turn lead to other equine disciplines being suspended. Consequently, the rules have been tightened up and all ponies taken to polo for playing or umpiring must:

a) Be compliant with the rules below and;

b) At all times must have received their last booster vaccination (or second vaccination of a primary course) within the last 6 months +21 days, but;

c) No pony may play within 7 days after receiving a booster Inspections will be carried out by the HPA and clubs. Further details will follow on the actions to be taken if there is a known or suspected outbreak.

 

2) To be compliant:

a) Vaccinations must be recorded in each pony’s passport, dated, signed and stamped by the administering veterinary surgeon who must be licensed to practice in the country in which the horse was vaccinated. If vaccinated outside the UK prior to the horse obtaining a UK recognised equine passport, a fellow or member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS) must be satisfied that an appropriate licensed vaccine has been administered to the specific pony in question and shall record the details in any new UK-recognised equine passport once obtained with the date, signature and stamp.

b) Previous vaccinations must have been administered as per below:

*Ponies first vaccinated prior to 1 Jan 2014 must have received booster vaccinations annually (but not necessarily within 365 days) from the year they received their first vaccination

*Ponies first vaccinated between 1 Jan 2014 and 1 Jan 2016 must have received two primary vaccinations given no less than 21 days and no more than 92 days apart and booster vaccinations annually thereafter (but not necessarily within 365 days)

*Ponies first vaccinated between 1 Jan 2016 and 1 Jan 2018 must have received two primary vaccinations given no less than 21 days and no more than 92 days apart and a third booster vaccination given no less than 90 days and no more than to 215 days after the second primary vaccination and booster vaccination annually thereafter (but not necessarily within 365 days)

*Ponies first vaccinated after 1 Jan 2018 must have received two primary vaccinations given no less than 21 days and no more than 92 days apart and a third booster vaccination given no less than 90 days and no more than 215 days after the second primary vaccination and a booster vaccination annually thereafter (either within 365 days or anytime within a calendar window of March and April).

 

VACCINATIONS AGAINST EQUINE INFLUENZA FOR 2020

 

The Welfare Committee have agreed that the HPA aligns as a minimum with the FEI’s policy on flu vaccinations and has recommended that at all times polo ponies must have received a vaccination (either a second primary or booster vaccination) within the last 6 months and 21 days. Polo ponies not complying would have to restart a primary course of two vaccinations given no less than 21 days and no more than 92 days apart. A meeting of the British Equestrian Federation High Health Steering Group is due to be held in early June and the Welfare Committee will meet again to review the HPA rules for 2020 in the light of that meeting and the ongoing flu situation.