The Vaccination Committee provides up-to-date, evidence-based information and expert opinions on the best ways to use vaccines in dogs and cats. It offers scientific education and global guidelines to support veterinary professionals in making informed decisions. In addition, the committee works to understand the unique aspects of veterinary vaccination across different geographical regions. By recognising these regional differences, it develops tailored educational resources—such as region-specific guidelines and continuing education (CE) materials—to help advance vaccination practices worldwide. The committee also produces advice to pet caregivers on the importance of vaccinating dogs and cats, highlighting the value of core vaccines.
Download the complete Terms of Reference here.
Job Description
Committee members are chosen as recognised experts in companion animal clinical vaccinology. The committee consists of core members and, during regional projects, one regional member. This advertisement is for two new core members. The positions are for three years with the potential for renewal once for another three-year term.
Role, responsibilities, and expectations of VC members include:
- Contribute actively to the authorship of the periodically updated WSAVA guidelines and recommendations for the vaccination of dogs and cats.
- Author and help to update FAQs that accompany the main vaccination guidelines.
- Help create and update modular online information and educational resources about canine and feline vaccines and vaccinology.
- Be directly involved in one of the VC’s regional projects. These projects usually last three years and include visits to a region under study. VC members conduct surveys of the opinions of local practitioners about infectious diseases and vaccinology. They deliver continuing education lectures and hold meetings with local veterinarians from practice, industry, government and academia. They visit local practices and produce and publish a formal, detailed report at the end of the project.
- Occasionally provide continuing education on companion animal vaccinology to members of the profession. This may take place during WSAVA congresses, congresses organized by other veterinary associations, independent events, as well as online lectures, courses and webinars.
- Respond to email/electronic communications in a thorough and timely manner.
- The time commitment varies considerably throughout the year. Work is full-time during annual project visits and face-to-face meetings, which usually last five days, plus international travel. There is usually no more than one such meeting per year. At other times of the year, authoring and other work can generally be scheduled around other commitments and, on average, is at most 3-4 hours per week.
- All VC members should attend 1-2 hours of meetings every month or every two months to discuss their projects.
Qualifications and Professional Expectations
- Have a degree in veterinary medicine for at least 10 years.
- Demonstrate high expertise and intense interest in canine and feline clinical immunology, vaccinology and infectious diseases.
- The official language of the WSAVA is English. Candidates must be able to communicate verbally and in writing in English.
- Possess excellent writing skills and time management skills.
- Ability and willingness to work hard and cooperatively as a member of a small, dynamic, enthusiastic team.
- Skills for the development of online educational information resources.
- Meeting Attendance and Participation: Attend scheduled meetings (virtual or in-person) and actively contribute to discussions.
- Timely Communication: Respond to requests for input and feedback in a timely manner, ensuring smooth communication.
- All WSAVA committee and project group members agree to abide by the policies and processes set out within the WSAVA Policy and Process Manual.
- All discussions, documents, and materials shared within the group must be treated as confidential unless otherwise indicated by WSAVA.
Time commitment
The tenure of a committee member is a maximum of 3 years, with one extension possible. Estimated time involvement for most members is 2 to 3 hours a month.
The committee meets quarterly online with email exchanges in the months when no meeting is held. An in-person meeting at the WSAVA congress. Notwithstanding the above, ad hoc meetings are called to address specific issues when they arise.
Remuneration for this role
All WSAVA committee members including the chairperson are volunteers. However, reasonable expenses incurred whilst carrying out WSAVA duties will be reimbursed, in accordance with our travel and expenses policy.
Applicant must provide the full documentation required below, in English, via this dedicated application link:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of Intent
- Letter of Good Standing from WSAVA Member Association*
Applications should be submitted before 15 November 2025 – 22:00 UTC
*All nominees for membership of any WSAVA committee/group are required to provide a letter of Good Standing from the WSAVA member organization of which they are a member. This requirement does not apply to nominees who are not members of a WSAVA organization (e.g. non-veterinarians) whose expertise may be necessary for specialist committees/groups. A person of Good Standing is defined as someone who has complied with all explicit obligations of the association and who is not subject to any form of sanction, suspension or disciplinary censure. This letter is not a recommendation from the association that the nominee is the best person for the position. WSAVA committee positions are not chosen by member organizations – the Committee Chair ultimately decides on the best candidate for the position and the choice is ratified by the Membership and Nomination Committee and the Executive Board. This letter indicates only that the WSAVA member association has no objection to the nomination. Please click here to view an example of this letter.