The shortage is believed to be due to a combination of the dramatic and unforeseen rise in pet ownership and the knock-on effect of lockdown. In addition, Pfizer is the manufacturer of both the cat vaccine and one of the Covid-19 vaccines, putting the company under tremendous pressure.

As a vet in practice, we have to carefully manage our stock of vaccinations to ensure that the most at-risk patients are still able to receive their doses. This means we are having to delay regular annual boosters for many cats to 14 months instead of 12.

We will supply further information as it becomes available.