[Michael Romanos]

I know that when I get my next Pembroke Corgi, I'll be following a new vaccination regime.

A large group of United Kingdom vets have added their weight behind a USA-led campaign to stop the annual vaccination of dogs.

According to research in recent years, many of the yearly vaccinations are unnecessary and that protection can be lifelong and that the procedures of annual vaccinations carries risks.

Evidence shows the duration for vaccines associated with leptospirosis, rabies, distemper, parvovirus, various flu strains etc are a minimum of seven years. Further evidence shows that the immune system of dogs mature fully at six months and any modified live virus vaccine given after that age produces immunity that is good for the life of the dog.

If another similar vaccine is given a year later, the antibodies from the first vaccine neutralise the antigens so that there is little or no effect ie the dog is not boosted nor any more memory cells induced.

No only are annual boosters for parvo and distemper unnecessary, they subject the dog to potential risks of allergic reactions and other problems.

Puppies have natural protection through their mothers milk lasting for 8 to 14 weeks.

Puppies should not be vaccinated at less than 8 weeks. Vaccinations at six weeks will delay the the timing of the first effective vaccine. Vaccines given two weeks apart suppress rather that stimulate the immune system.

Here are new guidelines: A series of vaccinations starting from eight weeks of age or later and given three to four weeks apart, up until 16 weeks. One further booster given after six months of age - and this will provide life-long immunity.

There is currently a variation of the above, according to American canine health specialist, Dr Jean Dodds.

Dodds says that Lyme disease vaccine is not needed for every dog because the disease is confined to a few geographical areas. She says a new vaccination protocol for dogs has been recommended. This includes giving a puppy a vaccine series followed by a booster at one year of age, administering further boosters as a combined vaccine once every three years until the dog is of a senior age (according to the dog's breed) to not require further boosters.