The first vaccination
A course of two or three vaccinations is usually given as a primary course.
This is because the maternal immunity falls at different times in different
puppies and so they become susceptible to disease at different times. Also, the Leptospirosis part of the vaccine requires the immune system to be 'primed' by
the first dose of vaccine so that the second dose can produce full protective
levels of immunity.
Vaccines work by stimulating the body to produce its own defence against infection. One
of the key components of this "defence" is antibody and as we saw in the previous section,
this natural defence or protection can be passed temporarily ("passively") from mother to
offspring (MDA).
Whilst there is a high enough level of MDA to protect the young puppy or kitten, MDA
can actually interfere with successful vaccination. This is because, although a vaccine is
a modified harmless form of the disease, it is "seen" by MDA as an invader. MDA therefore
assumes its protective role and neutralises the vaccine.
Vaccination
How does a vaccine work
Why vaccinated? Immunity and vaccination Immunity in puppies?
The first vaccination Annual boosters Vaccine reactions
Primary vaccination Booster vaccinations Record of Vaccination A word about immunity Maternally Derived Antibody Decay of MDA
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