Vaccination and disease prevention protocols for pets: A review

Abstract

Vaccination and disease prevention strategies are essential interventions for maintaining the health of companion animals and reducing the risk of zoonotic disease transmission to humans. The effectiveness of these programs relies on the proper implementation of vaccination protocols, environmental management, parasite control, nutritional support, and owner education. This review summarizes current vaccination protocols and complementary non-vaccination preventive measures for dogs and cats. It outlines the classification of core and non-core vaccines, vaccination schedules for puppies and adult animals, booster recommendations, and factors influencing immunization efficacy. Recent advancements in vaccine development, such as recombinant and mRNA-based technologies, are also discussed for their potential to enhance safety and immunogenicity. Beyond vaccination, this review addresses non-immunization preventive strategies, including kennel hygiene and environmental sanitation, biosecurity in veterinary and boarding facilities, ecto- and endoparasite management, and nutritional approaches to strengthen immune function. Owner education is emphasized as a critical component in improving compliance with vaccination schedules and preventive health practices. The review concludes that integrating vaccination with non-vaccination preventive measures strengthens both individual and herd immunity, reduces the incidence of infectious diseases, and minimizes zoonotic risks. Current challenges include pathogen variation, inconsistent owner compliance, regional disparities in vaccination policies, and the ongoing need for safer and more effective vaccines. Advances in vaccine technology and personalized immunization strategies provide new opportunities to improve the efficacy, safety, and sustainability of pet health programs.