Navigation path
Vaccinations
More than 64,000 horses have been vaccinated against the equine influenza (EI) virus.
The Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries (DPI&F) is no longer accepting applications for subsidised vaccinations. The vaccine used is a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO). It required a temporary licence for use in Australia for emergency disease control purposes. The vaccine was imported for the sole purpose of eradicating EI and the DPI&F is confident this has been achieved.
EI vaccine is available to horse owners whose horses have received a first round vaccination and who would like their horses to receive a second or third round of vaccination. These vaccinations are voluntary. The DPI&F will not be subsidising the cost of the vaccinations or their administration.
Applications for a third round vaccination should be made by submitting an application form (Form A) to your veterinarian. Download the application form (Form A) (Doc, 62kB).
Any horses that did not receive their first round vaccinations by Friday, 7 March 2008 are not eligible for vaccinations, regardless of whether they have been previously approved or not.
Unused vaccine will be returned to the DPI&F in the future for inventory and auditing. Instructions on how to return the vaccine will be forwarded to veterinarians once confirmed.
Event organisers are encouraged to allow all horses to attend events regardless of whether the horse is susceptible, recovered, or vaccinated. Organisers should review the DPI&F's requirements for hosting events.
Blood testing and microchipping
The Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries (DPI&F) is no longer accepting applications for subsidised bloodtesting and microchipping of horses.
Previously, competition and performance horses were receiving microchips and serology at subsidised rates. This helped horse owners to meet the costs of complying with event attendance requirements.
Horse owners may still have horses blood tested for EI and microchipped at their own expense by contacting their veterinarian.
Can I import vaccines?
Personal importation of vaccines is not permitted. Should this be attempted, vaccines will be confiscated at border controls.
Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) performs 100 % screening of international mail and passengers arriving at airports.
Financial penalties of up to $100,000 can be imposed as well as a potential jail sentence
