Frequently Asked Questions:
Question 4) Can vaccines be given to animals before the show?
As stated above, all livestock must be exhibition drug residue legal at the time of show. This means that all vaccines, dewormers, and medications must meet their withdrawal period
by the day of show. Vaccines and preventive drugs should be part of managing disease during stressful commingling events with livestock, such as exhibitions. The rules do not prohibit the
use of vaccines as part of an effective disease prevention program designed by the official veterinarian, fair board, or your private veterinarian. But vaccines are drugs with a withdrawal time, and if those medications are given as preconditioning before coming to the fairgrounds, they must be given far enough in advance to take into the account the withdrawal period for those medications and drugs. In some circumstances, sponsors may have to adjust their prevention programs or policies in consultation with the official veterinarian to ensure that exhibitors maintain eligibility for the show.
Dr. Dennis Summers, State Veterinarian and Animal Health Division Chief