In the United States, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) identifies four core horse vaccines: tetanus, Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE), West Nile virus (WNV), and rabies. Other vaccines depend on a horse’s health, location, age, travel, and contact with other horses. There is no single schedule that fits every horse, so work with an equine veterinarian to set the vaccines and dates for your horse.
Which vaccines are considered core for horses?
AAEP’s U.S. guidance classifies tetanus, EEE/WEE, WNV, and rabies as core vaccines. Core status reflects the importance of protecting horses against these diseases; it does not mean every horse should receive every dose on the same dates. The AAEP guidance addresses vaccines licensed by the USDA for horses. AAEP Equine Vaccination Guidelines
Tetanus
AAEP considers tetanus toxoid a core vaccine. For a previously vaccinated adult, its chart gives annual revaccination; U.S. product labels specify annual revaccination. An adult with no known vaccination history is generally given a two-dose primary series four to six weeks apart. The adult chart also advises a booster after a penetrating injury or before surgery if the last dose was more than six months earlier. AAEP Adult Horse Vaccination Chart 2026 adult chart AAEP Tetanus Vaccination Guidelines
Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis
EEE/WEE vaccination is core under AAEP’s U.S. guidance. Previously vaccinated adults are generally revaccinated annually before the vector season. For horses under five years old or in endemic areas with extended vector seasons, the chart says to consider a six-month interval. An adult with no known history generally needs two doses, with the second given four to six weeks after the first. AAEP Adult Horse Vaccination Chart
West Nile virus
AAEP considers WNV vaccination core in North America. Previously vaccinated adults are generally vaccinated annually in spring before insect-vector season. The chart says to consider a six-month interval for horses under five or in endemic regions with extended vector seasons. Adults with an unknown history generally receive two doses four to six weeks apart, followed by annual revaccination before vector season. AAEP Adult Horse Vaccination Chart AAEP West Nile Virus Vaccination Guidelines
Rabies
Rabies is core in AAEP’s adult chart. Previously vaccinated adults receive annual revaccination. For an adult with an unknown history, the chart lists one dose followed by annual revaccination. AAEP Adult Horse Vaccination Chart
Which other horse vaccines may be appropriate?
AAEP lists these as risk-based rather than core vaccines: anthrax, botulism, equine herpesvirus (rhinopneumonitis), equine influenza, equine viral arteritis, leptospirosis, Potomac horse fever, rotaviral diarrhea, snake bite, strangles, and Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis. Whether one belongs in a plan depends on the horse and its circumstances, including regional disease conditions and likely exposure. AAEP Equine Vaccination Guidelines
Exposure can change the interval
Equine influenza is one example of how contact and travel affect vaccine decisions: AAEP says horses at increased risk may be revaccinated every six months. Show attendance, boarding, travel, and contact with newly arrived horses are useful details to discuss with the veterinarian; they do not, by themselves, establish that every risk-based vaccine is needed. AAEP Equine Influenza Vaccination Guidelines
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →How does a veterinarian tailor the schedule?
AAEP states, “A ‘standard’ vaccination program for all horses does not exist.” The statement appears in its Principles of Vaccination guidance, reviewed by the AAEP Infectious Disease Committee in 2021. The guidance says risk assessment should account for anticipated exposure and environmental or geographic factors, as well as the horse’s age, breed, use, and sex; the consequences of disease; expected vaccine effectiveness; possible adverse reactions; and immunization costs compared with the cost of disease. AAEP Principles of Vaccination
AAEP’s adult chart distinguishes broodmares, other adults, and adults with unknown or absent vaccine histories; it also publishes a separate foal chart. A horse’s history and life stage therefore matter as much as the broad core-versus-risk-based categories. AAEP Adult Horse Vaccination Chart 2026 adult chart
Rank #4
Before finalizing a plan, gather the horse’s records and be ready to discuss:
- Where the horse lives and the timing and length of local vector seasons.
- Age, reproductive status, and whether the horse is pregnant or intended for breeding.
- Known vaccine dates, gaps in the record, or an entirely unknown history.
- Travel, shows, boarding, and regular contact with other horses.
- The horse’s work or intended use and any relevant health considerations.
Ask the veterinarian which vaccines are suitable, whether an initial series is needed, and when each follow-up dose is due. Product labeling, prior doses, health and reproductive status, region, and veterinary judgment can affect timing; AAEP’s chart is guidance, not an individualized prescription. AAEP Equine Vaccination Guidelines AAEP Adult Horse Vaccination Chart
What vaccination can—and cannot—do
Vaccination reduces risk but cannot be expected to prevent disease in every situation. Protection from a vaccine intended to stimulate active immunity is not immediate, and some vaccines require an initial multi-dose series. Continue appropriate management and biosecurity rather than treating vaccination as a substitute for them. AAEP Principles of Vaccination
Blood antibody titers are not a general shortcut for deciding whether to give a booster. AAEP says validated protective levels are not defined for most equine diseases and routine titer-based booster decisions are not currently recommended. AAEP Principles of Vaccination
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