WEBPAGE ADMINISTRATORS COMMENT:

 

I recommend that you carefully and critically re read the read the claims and directions made by Zoetis in the Equivac HeV Hendra Virus Vaccine for horses packaging

 

And

 

NOTICE OF FILING June 6, 2019

RACHAEL ABBOTT Applicant

ZOETIS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD ACN 156 476 425 Respondent

This is the Notice of filing by LDH Lawyers against Zoetis on behalf of Rachel Abbott (+8)  pertaining to the “EQUIVAC HEV" VACCINE, It provides a clear overview of the issues many vaccinators have had with this vaccine and is recommended reading.

 SOURCE LINK : 

https://www.lhd.com.au/files/6715/6143/2336/FASOC-_sealed_5_June_2019.pdf

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As I understand it the major debates surrounding the Zoetis Equivac HeV Hendra Virus Vaccine for horses are:

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Allegedly the vaccine has been promoted by various parties, horse industry professionals and organisations, including allegedly veterinary professionals and promotional advertising, using statements that are misleading and NOT SUPPORTED by the products testing and registration by the APMVA or the claims and directions made by Zoetis in the Equivac HeV Hendra Virus Vaccine for horses packaging.  If you follow some of the Queensland Government links provided on this website you will see some of these misleading claims.

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Specifically contentious are alleged claims that this vaccine can be used:

• as preventing the Hendra infection in horses.

• that vaccinating a horse with Zoetis Equivac HeV Hendra Virus Vaccine for horses is a measure that also protects humans from then catching Hendra from vaccinated horses.

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Whereas the actual claims made by Zoetis in the Equivac HeV Hendra Virus Vaccine for horses packaging vaccine  are-

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AN AID IN THE PREVENTION OF CLINICAL SYMPTOMS of the disease caused by Hendra virus in horses 4 months of age and older.

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As I personally interpret the Zoetis product precautions and side effects statements (Please re-read them):

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Whilst acknowledging that no vaccination is 100% guaranteed, the efficacy of the Equivac HeV Hendra vaccination in preventing horses shedding the Hendra virus, and therefore being infectious to horses and humans, IS UNTESTED.

 

This means it is un-known.  In actual fact his vaccine is not the Occupational Health and Safety panacea that some factions are promoting it as. In-fact this misrepresentation has the risk of lulling horse handlers into a false sense of security and could open employers up to legal action.

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So, we don't know via scientific testing if a vaccinated horse can actually have Hendra with no clinical symptoms but can shed the virus and transmit Hendra to horses and humans? 

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This vaccine has not been tested in the face of a major Hendra outbreak.

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That this vaccine can supress clinical Hendra symptoms in horses ;  no symptoms, so the handler won’t know that the horse is infectious and is shedding the Hendra virus. The handler can catch Hendra from the horse in this situation.

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That PPE and other precautions still need to be taken by horse handlers because the virus can still be shed by vaccinated horses and therefore humans can still be infected by vaccinated horses.

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On a more positive horse side of the issue - AN AID IN THE PREVENTION OF CLINICAL SYMPTOMS of the disease caused by Hendra virus in horses 4 months of age and older. IMO this is a little more positive, IF your unvaccinated horse does get Hendra it’s 100% death rate and I would assume that the death is caused by one or more of the clinical signs, which are very nasty indeed and cause the horse much suffering. I would very much like more detail on how much of an “AID” this vaccine is in actual numbers. I would also be measuring the risk factors for myself and my horse against all the other risk factors.

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As a horse owner, the fact that Zoetis acknowledge a range of possible side effects from this vaccination , does concern me. I don't consider some of these listed symptoms or complications 'minor'.

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The ‘untested, not studied statements concern me regarding the testing, efficacy and safety of this vaccine.

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Coupled with anecdotal evidence that-

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It is alleged that some veterinarians have administered Equivac HeV in the same session as other vaccinations, where the product information specifically states that the compatibility with other medications has not been studied. I would err on the side of caution and not do this.

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That there are a significant number of alarming anecdotal reports on the internet from distressed horse owners that allegedly describe extremely severe reactions to this vaccination in previously healthy horses.  These reactions in some cases have led to death / loss of use of the horse. It bears official scientific investigation  of the relationship between asymptomatic/undetectable / undiagnosed sick or immunocompromised horses who were performing well and outwardly healthy experiencing severe side effects after this vaccination, and these being attributed to the former. How low is the ‘health threshold’?

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For myself, I would consider all the above, including the vaccination risk perspective, and check my vet’s policy regarding ‘no vaccination, no vet’, before considering vaccinating for Hendra if I resided in a ‘Hendra possible’ area.

 

 

WHAT CAN LEGALLY BE CLAIMED?

ADVERTISING AGRICULTURAL AND VETERINARY CHEMICAL PRODUCTS

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INFORMATION INCLUDED ON REGISTERED PRODUCT LABELS

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Section 84 of the Agvet Code specifically deals with claims made on product labels. Persons must not make any claim, or permit any claim to be made in respect of a registered chemical product that is not consistent with the approved label for that product.

 

SOURCE LINK:

https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2012C00810

 

SEE ALSO-

https://www.facebook.com/groups/465066336972242/permalink/1797650440380485/

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SO WHAT EXACTLY IS THE ZOETIS EQUIVAC HeV  VACCINATION REGISTERED TO DO?

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WEBPAGE ADMINISTRATORS COMMENT:

The following is the text posted on an admittedly anti Hendra Vaccination page on Facebook. The poster implies (and the image footer supports) that this is possibly an email from a staff member at the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) in answer to a previous phone call on the  matter of the Zoetis Equine Hendra Vaccination as registered by the APVMA. As you can see, the details - name of author and date have been withheld. I cannot and do not make any claims as to the authenticity or veracity of this alleged communication, however it does raise pertinent alleged facts that bear checking out.

Name of author withheld     Name of recipient  withheld   Date witheld

Alleged source - Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA)

SOURCE LINK:

https://www.facebook.com/Champs-Group-472662386261429/

 

CHAMPS GROUP FACEBOOK POST – July 18 2019  Re Phone Conversation

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I have reviewed the claim “Vaccination is the single most effective way to reduce the risk of Hendra disease in horses” and I have reason to believe that this statement is contrary to the label claim. The Zoetis Equivac HeV Vaccine for horses has been approved by the APVMA as “an aid in the prevention of clinical symptoms of the disease caused by Hendra virus in horses 4 months of age and older.” This product has not been assessed to prevent Hendra disease or Hendra virus infection.

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I also note that the label states that PPE should be worn even when dealing with vaccinated horses as not all vaccines provide a guaranteed protection. This is an important point in relation to the claim you provided me, as promotion of claims such as this may result in people not using PPE when in contact with vaccinated horses because they have been led to believe that the vaccine is the most effective way to stop them from being infected. The APVMA has included this information on the label because the trial data for the product did not show that the product was 100% effective at preventing viral shedding.

 

I understand that there are arguments to support the vaccine  being the most effective way to stop Hendra, but I think it is important to bring people back to the facts that this is a product that has been approved with a very specific efficacy statement and a number or precautionary statements because there is no data to support this vaccine being anything more than an aid in the prevention of clinical symptoms

I hope this helps

Name of author withheld

Alleged source - Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA)

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SOURCE LINK:

https://www.facebook.com/Champs-Group-472662386261429/

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SOURCE LINK:

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1089445724583089&id=472662386261429

 

From the APVMA website:

 

“Section 84 of the Agvet Code specifically deals with claims made on product labels.

 

Persons must not make any claim, or permit any claim to be made in respect of a registered chemical product that is not consistent with the approved label for that product.

Only in certain limited circumstances (for example, where the particular claim has been exempted by the APVMA or where a person is authorised to make such a claim by way of an approved APVMA Permit) can a claim may be made that is not consistent with the approved label.

Contravention of this provision can lead to enforcement action and civil and criminal penalties may also apply. A court may impose a maximum penalty of $189,000 (for an individual) and $1,575,000 (for a company) for each offence under section 84 of the Agvet Code.”

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SOURCE LINK:

https://apvma.gov.au/node/12796

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Published on the VET VOICE Webpage

PROTECTION AGAINST HENDRA

In 2012, a safe, effective horse vaccine became available and it is the single most effective way of reducing the risk of Hendra virus infection and provides a work health and safety as well as a public health benefit.

SOURCE LINK:

https://www.vetvoice.com.au/ec/diseases/hendra-virus/

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NEXT PAGE  : EXPLAINING SOME OF THE SCIENCE

 

For those of you who are scientifically inclined or who would like a little more explanation, the following page covers some of the scientific terms used on these pages.

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VIRAL SHEDDING

IMMUNITY AND STUDIES

WHO & WHY WAS THE VACCINE DEVELOPED?

DEFINITIONS

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