Last Updated: 06/05/2025
Currently there is a worldwide shortage of cat vaccines. We answer the FAQs and provide guidance on how to best keep your cat protected from disease.
Author: Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 34 minutes - long read
Currently, there exists a worldwide shortage of cat vaccines, with supplies not expected to be replenished until January 2024 at the earliest. This will obviously cause concern for cat owners Australia-wide, with understandable questions about how they can best protect their cat and ensure their ongoing health.
In this guide, we answer the common questions that will arise, to allay your concerns, and provide suggestions and guidance on how to best keep your cat protected from the diseases that we commonly vaccinate against.
For information regarding the usual cat vaccination schedule and the diseases against which vets commonly vaccinate cats, take a read through our Cat Vaccination Guide.
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Why is there a shortage of cat vaccines?
Which vaccines are in short supply?
What happens if a cat misses a vaccine?
When will the cat vaccine shortage end?
What can I do to protect my cat?
What do I do if I am going on holidays and my boarding facility won't take my cat?
Can I still adopt a cat from a shelter?
The shortage has developed from a number of factors, including production facilities shifting their focus to the manufacture of COVID vaccines, global supply issues post-COVID, and the increased adoption of cats over the last few years.
The core F3 vaccine, which protects against Feline Panleukopaenia (Parvovirus), Feline Calicivirus and Feline Herpesvirus, is affected. Vaccines against FIV are also in short supply with the same expected replenishment date. Supply of cat-flu only vaccines, which protect against Feline Calicivirus and Feline Herpesvirus, may also become affected as demand may be higher for these while the F3 vaccines are out of stock.
Kittens, or previously unvaccinated adult cats requiring their primary vaccination course, or adult cats whose booster vaccinations are due in the next few months may be affected.
For an adult cat who has at a minimum had their initial series of 3 kitten vaccinations AND their first adult booster, a delay of less than 3 months is unlikely to be of concern, as they will retain a level of immunity. All vaccine manufacturers perform clinical studies on their products, from which they determine the minimum period for which an animal will be protected by that vaccine. It is important to know that for some diseases (especially feline panleukopaenia) studies support a duration of immunity much greater than that reflected on product labels7 (antibody titres again Feline Herpesvirus, Feline Calicivirus and Feline Panleukopaenia persisted for at least 3 years in one study10). However, as mentioned above, this will vary on a case-by-case basis, so we do recommend that you discuss with your vet if your cat has underlying health or lifestyle issues which may increase their risk of disease.
For kittens, as well as adult cats who have either not received their primary vaccinations, or have not received their first adult booster (defined as a vaccine given at 6 months of age or older), the risk of disease is high. Vaccination of these animals is a priority, and vets will generally retain whatever supply of vaccines they have for these cats. Furthermore, your vet may alter their usual primary vaccination protocol from a 3 vaccination protocol to 2 (or even a single dose). At this stage, splitting the doses of vaccines is not recommended as the efficacy of partial doses is unknown7. Kittens should be kept in a safe environment, away from unvaccinated adult cats (or those with unknown vaccination status), as much as possible. It is also very important to maintain regular health checks with your veterinarian for kittens, and ensure they are kept up to date with regular parasite preventatives.
The supply of cat vaccines is expected to be replenised in January 2024. However, this is not guaranteed, and there is likely to be very high demand for vaccines when they do become available, meaning that there may not be sufficient supply for all cats at that time.
Your vet will prioritise cats for vaccination based on risk, once vaccines do become available. If there is more than a few months delay in vaccination for your adult cat, your vet may recommend giving 2 booster doses, one month apart. This decision will be made based on level of disease risk to your cat, as well as their previous vaccination status.
There are certain things that you can do to reduce the risk of contracting disease, especially if they remain overdue for their primary or booster vaccinations.
The vaccine shortage has come at a difficult time of year, when many owners place their cats in boarding facilities or catteries during the holiday season.
There are mandatory boarding codes of practice in several states which do not permit admission of cats to boarding facilities unless they are up to date with their vaccinations.4 However, in response to the nation-wide shortage of cat vaccines, the NSW government has waived the requirement for adult cats to be up to date with their vaccinations prior to boarding stays until 31 January 2024 8.
In Victoria however, the requirement still remains in place. Under the state's Code of Practice for the Operation of Boarding Establishments, all cats must be vaccinated within the preceding 12 months before being admitted to a boarding facility9. However, there is acknowledgement of the challenges that this requirement poses in the current environment and these catteries have recourse to approach their relevant local council to discuss the best course of action5.
What does this mean for you?
If your boarding facility or cattery does agree to accept your cat for boarding despite not being up to date with their core vaccinations, it is important to understand that the closer proximity to other cats (who also may not be up to date with their own vaccinations), and potential heightened stress levels can increase the risk of disease to your cat. Your boarding facility may ask you to sign paperwork acknowledging this.
Understandably, you may not wish to take the risk of boarding your cat in this situation (nor may you be able to depending on your facility). In this case, we would highly recommend seeking out a family member, friend or pet-sitter who may be able to visit your home daily or even come and stay, in order to care for your cat.
Rescue organisations such as Pet Rescue and the RSPCA are continuing to adopt or foster out cats and kittens to minimise the risk to individual pets, and minimise the impact on shelters. This is being managed carefully, with full disclosure for unvaccinated cats, and under the agreement that these kittens and cats will be vaccinated as soon as possible. Requirements around the adoption of unvaccinated cats and kitten may vary from state to state, so please check with your local rescue organisation.
Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more tips from our expert vets on keeping your pets happy and healthy.
References:
1. Spanner, A., The Cat Vaccine Shortage, https://www.walkervillevet.com.au/blog/the-cat-vaccine-shortage/, Walkerville Vet, accessed 29/11/23
2. Sanders, P., Murphy, B., Cats not accepted at RSPCA NSW Shelters for another month amid vaccine shortage, ABC New England, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-27/cat-hold-extended-at-nsw-rspca-shelters-amid-vaccine-shortage/103113616, accessed 29/11/23
3. Lort Smith Animal Hospital, Worldwide Cat Vaccination Shortage, https://lortsmith.com/about-us/news-media/worldwide-cat-vaccination-shortage/, accessed 29/11/23
4. Australian Veterinary Association, Feline Vaccine Shortage, https://www.ava.com.au/news/feline-vaccine-shortage/, accessed 29/11/23
5. Animal Welfare Victoria (Agriculture Victoria), Cat Vaccination Shortage, https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestock-and-animals/animal-welfare-victoria/cats/cat-vaccination-shortage, accessed 29/11/23
6. Ortolan, M., Why a national shortage of cat vaccines may cause holiday havoc with pet owners, ABC News, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-24/cat-vaccine-shortage-pet-boarding-holidays/103140850, accessed 29/11/23
7. Briscoe, K. et al. Feline vaccine shortage: suggested reaction by the profession to optimise feline health and welfare, https://cve.edu.au/Common/Uploaded%20files/EDM/Vaccine-Shortage.pdf?_cldee=c1ci8neIVkWSYWU4GnIwdjf1NpZrPIjc5_3Gvk1dwoFqajPh0aOrWc3N1CM52mFC&recipientid=contact-18f463478768e911a820000d3ad0a55e-af47c0893d094ecfbeb54c022b543528&esid=3a128831-a173-ee11-a878-000d3ad1b063, accessed 29/11/23
8. NSW Department of Primary Industries Statement, https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1493169/Vaccine-Shortage-statement-from-CAWO-7-November-2023.pdf, accessed 29/11/23
9. Animal Welfare Victoria (Agriculture Victoria), Code of Practice for the Operation of Boarding Establishments, https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestock-and-animals/animal-welfare-victoria/domestic-animals-act/codes-of-practice/code-of-practice-for-the-operation-of-boarding-establishments, accessed 29/11/23
10. Scott FW, Geissinger CM. Long-term immunity in cats vaccinated with an inactivated trivalent vaccine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10328440/, accessed 29/11/23
11. Pet Rescue, https://www.petrescue.com.au/library/articles/navigating-the-cat-vaccine-shortage-tips-for-continued-care, accessed 3/1/24
