EI Vaccine Side-Effects Blamed For Irregular Blood Counts

The aftermath of the equine influenza crisis "is an increasing number of racehorses unable to reach peak performance because of reactions to the vaccines imported to defeat the outbreak," reported The Australian newspaper. The claims "came mostly from Victorian trainers whose horses were vaccinated as a precautionary measure, despite protests that as the state was not affected by EI it was dangerous to expose the animals to the virus". Irregular white cell counts "leaving horses lethargic or with a mild temperature are consistent with forecasts from the vaccine's distributors, who suggested 5% of stock would experience mild, short-term side-effects"; however some trainers "are claiming the onset of respiratory problems is linked to the inoculations & the side-effects are more serious". The newspaper interviewed a series of trainers, however Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy retorted: "Trainers grasp at straws when horses perform poorly. Not every horse comes up every preparation. A study may show otherwise, but I've seen no evidence of it in Sydney."