POM-V Prescription Required

Proteq West Nile Suspension for Injection for Horses

Active ingredient: West Nile virus

Form

Injection

Species

Horses

Manufacturer

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH

VMD MA No.

04491/5046

What it's used for

Active immunisation of horses from 5 months of age against West Nile disease by reducing the number of viraemic horses. If clinical signs are present, thei...

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

The prescription itself has a price. See what practices near you charge for a consultation and the written prescription fee.

Paying less for West Nile virus

1

Ask your vet for a written prescription

They must provide one on request. Under the CMA Order the fee is capped at £21 from 2027.
2

Fill it at a registered online retailer

The CMA found online pharmacies 50–60% cheaper than practice dispensing on common medicines — typically £200–£300 a year.

Your prescription rights → VMD register of retailers →

Prescription required

Your vet must provide a written prescription on request. You can then purchase from any licensed online retailer.

Clinical information

Proteq West Nile Suspension for Injection for Horses — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 26 Mar 2026.

Active immunisation of horses from 5 months of age against West Nile disease by
reducing the number of viraemic horses. If clinical signs are present, their duration and
severity are reduced.
Onset of immunity: 4 weeks after the first dose of the primary vaccination course. In
order to achieve full protection, the full vaccination course of two doses must be given.
Duration of immunity: 1 year after a full primary vaccination course of two injections.

None.

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AN: 02843/2022Page 2 of 5

Horses:
Common
(1 to 10 animals / 100 animals treated):
Injection site swelling
Rare
(1 to 10 animals / 10,000 animals
treated):
Injection site pain, increased skin
temperature
Elevated temperature
Apathy
, decreased appetite
Hypersensitivity reaction
Very rare
(<1 animal / 10,000 animals treated,
including isolated reports):
Injection site abscess
max. diameter 5 cm, which resolves within 4 days.
max. 1.5 °C, for 1 day, exceptionally 2 days.
usually resolving within two days.
the day after vaccination.
which may require appropriate symptomatic treatment.
Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of
a veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a
veterinarian, to either the marketing authorisation holder or its local
representative or the national competent authority via the national reporting

Revised: November 2023
AN: 02843/2022Page 3 of 5
system. See the package leaflet for respective contact details.

Vaccinate healthy animals only.

Special precautions for use in animals
The safety of the vaccine has been demonstrated in foals from 5 months of age.
However, the vaccine has also been shown to be safe in a field study including animals
of 2 months of age.
Vaccination may interfere with existing sero-epidemiological surveys. However, since
the IgM response following vaccination is infrequent, a positive IgM-ELISA test result is
a strong indicator of natural infection with West Nile Virus. If infection is suspected as a
result of a positive IgM response, additional testing would need to be conducted to
conclusively determine whether the animal was infected or vaccinated.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals
In case of accidental self-injection, seek medical advice immediately and show the
package leaflet or the label to the physician.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Not applicable.

No information is available on the safety and efficacy of this vaccine when used with
any other veterinary medicinal product. A decision to use this vaccine before or after
any other veterinary medicinal product therefore needs to be made on a case by case
basis.

Store and transport refrigerated (2 °C-8 °C).
Do not freeze.
Protect from light.

Zero days.
5. IMMUNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
ATCvet code: QI05AX
To stimulate active immunity against West Nile virus.
The vaccine strain vCP2017 is a recombinant canarypox virus expressing the preM/E
genes of West Nile virus. After inoculation, the virus does not multiply in the horse but
expresses the protective proteins. As a consequence, these proteins induce protective
immunity against equine West Nile disease.

Revised: November 2023
AN: 02843/2022Page 4 of 5

This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.