DR. DAN G. DANNER
OCTOBER 1997
VACCINATIONS

Depending on you source and reference, the recommendations seem to vary slightly. Enclosed are the comments from Cathy Johnson Delany D.V.M. at the Regional Primate Research Center at the University of Washington. This compares with the recommendations of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians. these are enclosed for your review.

I agree with Jeff Wimsatt, D.V.M. generally. Obviously he has a lot of research and background support. Vaccination of owner and research personnel is the most consistent finding. The problem is that there is no real research that is specific enough. Therefore everything is on supposition. We also know that it takes a lot less measles virus or other infectious exposure than for humans to create clinical symptoms and problems in primates.

Disclaimer: The following represent reasonable recommendations but they are not totally foolproof,....

They are only guidelines and as such, and do not mean that what is stated here is correct in all situation...without consideration of the context. Contact your Veterinary professional. The vaccine protocol I have used successfully and with no secondary problems (: reactions to date are as follows:

A. Rabies Imrab R by Pittman-Moore which has been recently bought out by Rhone Murieux/Merck or Defensor killed Rabies vaccine by Pfizer. It is important to stress that it must be a killed virus vaccine given intramuscularly and that there have been no reported cases of primate rabies in the United States. Public Health Officials in most states and at CDC, seem to give a partial support of quarantine versus euthanasia if the efforts are made to immunize annually. If a primary care physician really presses the issue then a biting primate may be sacrificed anyway, but at least it's a start to get Public Officials support. One could use the human Diploid Rabies Vaccine, IMOVAX by Connaught which is much more expensive but does not to carry any more protection that the two above in the zoo circles I have been in. (Most zoos do not even vaccinate for rabies it is such a low concern due to confinement.)

S. M-M-R 11 (Measles, Mumps & Rubella) Vaccine by Merck & Company. If the primate is less than 1. 2 months of age then a second dose is recommended after 12 months of age. 0.5ml is given subcutaneously. Human literature recommends not giving concomitantly with the DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccine but Merck goes on to say if done simultaneously to use Separate injection sites- I do not use or recommend the combination DTP only the tetanus and have had no side effects or concerns. It is also recommended (by the AAZVP) to booster at 10-12 years of age.

AMSH/page

C. Tetanus - tetanus Toxoid Adsorbed ultrafined by Wyet Laboratories. This is recommended to any part of the country in which Clostridium tetani is present. The basic immunizing course consists of two (primary) doses of 0.5ml each, given at an interval of 4 to 8 weeks, followed by a third (reinforcing) dose of 0.5ml, 6 to 12 months later - the injections are given intramuscularly and repeated every 10 years after the initial pediatric series or possible exposure. Some individuals or groups booster - their primates yearly as a precaution with no side effects and appear to receive heavy protection - from Cl. tetani.

D. Polio Trivalent oral Poliovirus or IPOL (Poliovirus Vaccine Inactivated manufactured by Pasteur Merieux Labs and distributed by Cannaught labs, in the USA.) A primary series is initiated after 6 months of age in my practice with the first dose followed in 4-8 weeks with its booster and final follow-up in 6 - 12 months of the second immunization. This vaccine is primarily given to the Great Apes but can be given if there is any potential for public exposure. I have found that Public Health Officials prefer to have this in the vaccine protocol of Privately owned primates.

E. TB Tuberculosis testing is also an important part of the public health protocol. Coopers antigen given to bleb the skin (intradermal) of the eyelid or abdomen area. I prefer the eyelid because it is more easily monitored and must be reviewed at 24, 48 and 72 hour intervals by your veterinarian.

F. Viral Panel Testing There are two laboratories in San Antonio, Texas which can do a quick turn around screening to insure the safety of your other primate members before combining them with a new purchase. If you are a first time owner this helps the Public Health Officials to give you better support in the event of a bite to a human and quarantine procedures.

The stress again is to preimmunize the human contacts and for owners to be responsible when taking your primates into the public. Many states will vary on their approach to the public health side because of the limited research information available. I recommend that your veterinarian get with these officials very early and establish a positive rapport prior to a crisis arising. It seems most problems occur at the least convenient times or on weekends. So my experience in Texas with Lion Country Safari and in private practice in Oklahoma it is far better to work from the top down with a policy in place than to work up the bureaucratic ladder as few city or state employees do not want to take authority or are unsure as to what public health concerns are really at risk.