What is a virus and how does it work? Before you read about vaccines you should have a little bit of an informational back around of what the vaccine was invented for; and that can also be known as a virus. A virus is a small infectious agent that can reproduce only surrounded by the cells of other organisms. There an epic debate in the sicftic community on where they alive or not most believe they are not because are not made of cells, cannot reproduce on their own, do not grow or undergo division , do not transform energy , lack machinery for protein, synthesis are so small that they can only be seen with an electron microscope. Viruses are composed of nucleic acid, proteins and, in some cases, lipids as well. Nucleic acid, which can be either DNA or RNA, encodes the genetic information that is necessary to make copies of the virus. Often viruses can be passed on by touching , Body fluids such as blood, saliva and semen can contain the infecting organisms and transmission of such fluids, for example by injection or sexual contact, is important, particularly for viral infections like hepatitis or AIDS.

How do vaccines work?
During the small pox epidemic Mr. Edward Jenner noticed that the milk maids who caught the cowpox virus didn’t catch smallpox. Later in 1796 he created a small serum with a weaker form of the small pox virus the (ect. The Cow Pox) so that the body knew to recognize the virus before it did any major damage.
Mr. Jenner’s pioneer vaccine had opened the gate-way to many if not all of the vaccines used for both man and animals now days. Somewhat like Mr. Jenner’s vaccine today vaccines houses a dead or weakened part of a germ or virus that is causes the infection. The germ has been killed or weakened before it is used to make the vaccine; it can’t make the person sick. When a someone receives a vaccine, there body makes protective antibodies. The antibodies are the body's protector because they help to kill the germs that go into the body. So basically, vaccines just expose people to germs in a safe way, so that they can become use to the disease without becoming sick from it.

What are some side effects of vaccines?
There is a very small chance of an allergic reaction with any vaccine. Serious problems associated with receiving vaccines are rare. Problems that do occur tend to be minor such as :
• fever
• redness or tenderness at the injection site
• swelling
• mild crankiness
• tiredness
• loss of appetite
• rarely seizures can occur

What are some of the Vaccines given to horse?
Rabies: recently approved for horses. It contains a killed virus to protect against this disease, which affects the central nervous system and results in death And is an annual vaccine only. Tetanus: an infectious disease that is caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium clostridium tetani, enters by wounds. The vaccination is a custom-made toxin that makes an immune response. The initial vaccination is followed by a second dose in four to six weeks. Eastern and western encephalomyelitis : this acute viral disease of rodents, birds, horses and man, is transmitted by the mosquito. The vaccine is a combination of killed viruses. Initial vaccination is followed by a second dose in two to three weeks or four to six weeks, depending on vaccine used. An annual re-vaccination is given thereafter. If vaccinated properly and at the correct time of year, the vaccine will protect your horse for the season. Rhinopneumonitis: this is a viral disease with three faces: respiratory disease, abortion, and a disease of the nervous system that can cause paralysis Pneumabort K-1B (for pregnant mares) :the vaccine is given at the fifth, seventh, and ninth months of pregnancy. In regard to abortion, Pneumabort K-1B is the only rhinopneumonitis vaccine with federal approval for the prevention of abortion in mares due to equine herpsevirus-1 {EHV-1}. The vaccine provides protection for up to three months. Influenza:a highly contagious viral disease affecting the upper respiratory tract of the horse. The vaccine is a combination of the two most common strains of influenza as a killed virus. Initial vaccination is followed by a second dose in three to four weeks.. The vaccine provides protection for three to four months. Rhino/flu combination vaccine: this is a vaccine containing influenza strains and rhinopneumonitis EHV-4. This combination vaccine is excellent for show horses, race horses, or horses in a high-exposure situation need rhino/flu vaccines every three to four months. Strangles: contagious bacterial disease of the horse affects the upper respiratory tract with abscessation of the lymph nodes, especially in the upper neck and throat region. Initial vaccination is followed by a booster in three weeks and a third booster in six weeks from the initial vaccine. Annual re-vaccination is given thereafter. Another vaccine for strangles recommends initial dose repeated in three to four weeks and annually. Potomac horse fever: this is a seasonal disease it had been reported in 33-plus states since summer 1998. The disease is characterized by high fever, severe diarrhea, malaise, depression, anorexia and very often a severe founder that can effect all four feet. It has a high mortality rate. There is now an annual vaccine for the prevention of this disease. Worming:parasite control is of utmost importance in maintaining your horse's health and helping prevent intestinal damage. I recommend de-worming every eight weeks, with bot de-worming done in the late fall or early winter.