There are not many bird vaccines that are required or recommended for pet birds, so bird vaccination schedules are fairly simple. The most common vaccination given to pet birds is the Polyomavirus vaccination. Some avian veterinarians recommend the Polyomavirus vaccination for all birds; others limit their recommendation to only some birds that are considered to be at a higher risk. These higher risk birds may include those birds that are exposed to a lot of other birds, such as those who attend bird shows, or birds that came from a pet store where they may have been exposed to many other birds. Birds that regularly visit a groomer or who are boarded with other birds may also be at risk for the disease. Bird owners with a collection of birds that is added to frequently should also consider the Polyomavirus vaccination for all of the birds. The initial vaccination against Polyomavirus includes two shots given over a two week period for breeding birds. The vaccinations should be given during non-breeding season, whenever possible. Annual booster shots are required to maintain immunity to Polyomavirus. As long as all adults with whom baby birds will come into contact have been properly immunized, young birds can be given the vaccine around 4 weeks prior to being weaned. Again, two shots are required, with at least two weeks between; some vets will recommend a three week wait between doses. If there is a concern about early exposure to Polyomavirus, chicks as young as 20 days old can receive the vaccination. As with other young birds, two shots over a two to three week period are needed. In addition to the Polyomavirus vaccination, there may be other bird vaccination schedules your avian vet will recommend based on your particular situation. Be sure to discuss this topic at your bird’s annual veterinarian visit.
