AAHA/AAFP Feline Vaccination Guidelines (2020) — core & non-core vaccines
Source: 2020 AAHA/AAFP Feline Vaccination Guidelines (AAHA and AAFP Feline Vaccination Task Force). First-hand PDF text-extracted with pdftotext -layout and reconstructed into reading order (two-column split by largest whitespace gap, per C1 sec.2.3). Pull-quotes below are verbatim from the guideline; source: https://www.aaha.org/resources/2020-aaha-aafp-feline-vaccination-guidelines
Scope & development
> "Stone was chair of the 2020 AAHA/AAFP Feline Vaccination Guidelines Task Force." > "These guidelines provide the most current information and recommendations for feline vaccination as determined by a Task Force of experts in feline practice." > "A key component of the guidelines are comprehensive, easy-toreference tables listing approved core and non-core feline vaccines and the relevant considerations for their use." > "The online resources include frequently asked questions about vaccination that clinicians and pet owners raise as well as a vaccine protocol calculator that uses a cat’s life stage and lifestyle information to suggest an appropriate, individualized vaccination protocol."
Core vs non-core — definitions
> "The guidelines assign approved feline vaccines to core (recommended for all cats) and non-core (recommended based on an individualized risk-benefit assessment) categories." > "Practitioners can develop individualized vaccination protocols consisting of core vaccines and non-core vaccines based on exposure and susceptibility risk as defined by the patient’s life stage, lifestyle, and place of origin and by environmental and epidemiologic factors." > "As explained in the guidelines, a patient-specific vaccination plan should consider environmental risk factors and life stage and lifestyle factors that determine the likelihood of infectious disease exposure and susceptibility."
Antigens, zoonosis & adverse events
> "An update on feline injection-site sarcomas indicates that occurrence of this sequela remains infrequent and idiosyncratic." > "The guidelines discuss other presentation scenarios that can potentially affect a risk-benefit assessment and include updates on feline injection-site sarcomas (FISSs) and other vaccination-related reactions." > "Some vaccines also reduce the potential for spread of zoonotic infections to humans (e.g., rabies)." > "The benefits of routine, widespread vaccination are clear: the incidence of serious disease caused by pathogenic organisms, such as feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), can be reduced dramatically when widespread vaccination is practiced."
Annual assessment & risk-benefit
> "The vaccination visit should always include a thorough physical exam and client education dialog that gives the pet owner an understanding of how clinical staff assess disease risk and propose recommendations that help ensure an enduring owner-pet relationship." > "As part of a routine wellness program, the vaccination needs of all cats should be assessed annually, in conjunction with a comprehensive physical examination, modifying vaccination and other control recommendations as necessary based on the current risk (see “Vaccination Risk-Benefit Assessment”)."
Maternally derived immunity & kittens
> "In general, kittens are more susceptible to infection and disease than adults." > "Kittens born to immune queens lack significant transplacentally acquired antibodies4 and instead absorb specific maternally derived antibodies (MDA) through colostrum, which provides important protection during early life."
Key recommendations
> "However, this MDA also interferes with active immunization." > "Serum MDA inhibits immunoglobulin (Ig)G production within the neonate through negative feedback mechanisms." > "3 Nevertheless, it is critical to recognize that there is considerable individual variation in the rate of decline of MDA, and some kittens maintain high concentrations for months.5 The persistence of MDA is one of the most common reasons for vaccine failure."
Source text: pdf-raw/vaccine-guidelines/aaha_feline_vaccination_2020.txt (AAHA first-hand guideline extraction, 2026-07-22).