LEADING Redland veterinarian David Lovell has challenged horse owners to show evidence of harmful reactions to the Hendra virus vaccine.
In a submission to the parliamentary inquiry into Hendra virus vaccine EquiVacc and its use by vets, Dr Lovell said reactions appeared to be relatively minor and made up a tiny percentage of the hundreds of thousands of doses administered.
"Where are the reports?'' he said. "Where are the veterinary records associated with all these bizarre reports of deaths and major illness precipitated by the vaccine?''
Dr Lovell, Equine Veterinarians Australia president, said it was implausible that any reasonable owner whose horse became ill after a vaccination would not contact the veterinarian concerned to seek assistance.
"My practice has administered approximately 1500 doses and we have knowledge of only a very few minor reactions,'' he said.
Dr Lovell has been at the epicentre of Hendra. In 2008, Dr Ben Cunneen, 33, the senior equine vet at Dr Lovell's Redlands Veterinary Clinic died of the Hendra virus after being infected at work.
The incident was devastating for the Cunneen and Lovell families.
The inquiry held hearings in the Redlands on Wednesday. Almost 300 submissions have been lodged with the inquiry, with some horse owners complaining about adverse vaccine reactions.
Horse owners have also questioned “no vaccination – no treatment” policies adopted by some veterinarians seeking to reduce exposure to the virus.
Sarah Allen of Ebenezer, near Ipswich, said she had her horses vaccinated and observed adverse reactions, including itch.
Her vet told her this was unrelated to the vaccine.
"... To put this very immature vaccine into my much loved equine family members because somone has not done enough research into the consequences, both physically and financially is insane,'' she said.
Dr Lovell said the industry had been blessed with an extremely effective and safe vaccine.
"If the owner of an animal ... refuses to vaccinate their animal, then all the obligations of animal welfare have to fall on themselves,'' he said.
Outside the hearing, Dr Lovell said all vets were required to adopt strict workplace, health and safety requirements if a horse showed minimal signs of Hendra, like a temperature.
Wearing the appropriate protective clothing was difficult and risky with horses, some of whom were spooked by the paraphenalia.
It would be better if the parliamentary committee saw fit to recommend that vets be given more autonomy in deciding when handling restrictions were put in place.
Three vets had already been prosecuted for relatively minor indiscretions in relation to handling.
Dr Lovell said the average cost for the first two vaccinations was $250 and then yearly vaccinations were $90.
He said some horse owners complained about these costs even though many spent nearly that much weekly in horse food.
Dr David Ahern from the Beaudesert-based Scenic Rim Veterinary Service said his practice had administered 6279 doses and regarded the vaccine as safe.
He said the reality was that if all horse owners vaccinated their horses there would be no Hendra cases.
Cedar Vale horse owner Helen Cole said she has been unable to ride her horse since it was vaccinated at the start of the year.
“His nature completely changed, he became bad-tempered and temperamental,” she said.
Ms Cole said the 10-year-old stallion had been healthy before receiving the vaccine.
