According to its statement last fall, the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) supports the judicious use of vaccines in pets in order to protect both animals and humans from disease and death. This position complements the views of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, the North American Veterinary Community and the World Health Organization.
The positive position from PIJAC can help retail animal health pros deal with pet owner concerns about over-vaccinating or side effects.
Source: Pet Product News, September 3, 2019. Link. PIJAC president and CEO Mike Bober advised pet owners to work closely with their veterinarian to determine an effective and safe vaccination program. The veterinarian can take into consideration the pet’s age, lifestyle, geographic location and any other risk factors, he said.
INSIGHTS: Veterinarians and pet retail have often been perceived to be at odds for several decades. Actions like this from the retail sector support the value of the veterinarian and the prevention benefits of vaccination.