Rabbit vaccination against myxomatosis and VHD: schedule and budget
Myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD) remain among the leading causes of preventable death in pet rabbits, including in individuals that never go outdoors. A landmark review by Didier Marlier, published in 2010 in Tijdschrift voor Diergeneeskunde, surveys the available vaccination strategies against the myxomatosis virus and highlights the protection limits specific to each vaccine type (study on Google Scholar). All our care guides are gathered in the rabbit care and grooming section.
Why vaccinate a rabbit that lives exclusively indoors?
Mosquitoes and fleas, the main vectors of myxomatosis, easily slip in through an open window or door; VHD, meanwhile, also spreads through indirect contact via shoes, hands, or contaminated hay, which exposes an indoor-only rabbit just as much.
What vaccination schedule should you plan for?
- Primary vaccination: generally from five to seven weeks of age depending on the protocol your vet uses.
- Combined boosters: most current vaccines cover myxomatosis and both VHD strains in a single annual injection.
- Six-monthly boosters: recommended in some high-risk areas or for rabbits that go outdoors regularly.
What budget should you plan each year?
Expect roughly €40–70 a year for a full combined protocol at a general-practice or exotics vet, a cost worth folding into the rabbit's overall vet budget.
What if the vaccination schedule has fallen behind?
A simple catch-up dose is usually enough, without restarting the whole protocol from scratch, but only the vet can judge the right approach based on the elapsed time and the strain currently active locally.
Does vaccination remove the need for other precautions?
No: limiting contact with rabbits of unknown status and regularly disinfecting the cage and accessories both remain worthwhile even for an animal that's up to date on boosters, as our guide on choosing a rabbit-safe disinfectant covers.
Frequently asked questions
Can a baby rabbit be vaccinated before weaning?
No, primary vaccination generally waits until after weaning and a sufficient body weight, with the vet adjusting the exact age depending on the vaccine used.
Can a pregnant doe be vaccinated?
Vaccination is generally discouraged during pregnancy barring a local health emergency; a case-by-case vet opinion remains essential.
Does vaccination give 100% protection against myxomatosis?
No, it sharply reduces the disease's severity and mortality without fully ruling out a milder form in a vaccinated animal. Browse all our guides on the rabbit hub.
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Rabbits universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.