Should you vaccinate your rabbit? Schedule and diseases explained
Why vaccination is essential
Domestic rabbits can be exposed to serious viral diseases for which there is no specific curative treatment. Vaccination is the main preventive measure to discuss with a rabbit-savvy vet, taking into account your country, available products, and local disease pressure.
The exact protocol, pricing and vaccine availability vary by country. Read the guidance below as a practical overview to discuss with your local exotic-pet veterinarian.
See the rabbit species page for an overview of the domestic rabbit’s characteristics and general health needs.
The diseases to vaccinate against
Myxomatosis
Myxomatosis is a viral disease caused by a poxvirus. It is transmitted mainly by biting insects (mosquitoes, fleas, lice, midges). An indoor rabbit can be infected by a single mosquito entering through a window.
Symptoms: swelling of the eyelids, lips and ears, skin nodules, purulent eye discharge, prostration. The subacute form is often fatal within 1–2 weeks. The chronic form may survive but with significant long-term damage.
Vaccination: timing depends on the product used. Nobivac Myxo-RHD Plus states a one-year duration of immunity; another vaccine may have different indications. Follow the due date recorded by the veterinarian.
For a detailed look at the disease itself — clinical progression, prognosis, and additional prevention measures — see our dedicated article on rabbit myxomatosis.
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease — RHDV1 (classic variant)
Caused by the calicivirus RHDV1, classic RHD produces a fulminant hepatitis. Death can occur within 1–3 days, sometimes without prior visible symptoms. Mortality rate is very high in unvaccinated adults. Kits under 8 weeks are relatively resistant thanks to maternal antibodies.
Transmission: direct contact with infected rabbits or fomites (bedding, equipment, clothing, insects).
For a full understanding of RHD — symptoms, the difference between RHDV1 and RHDV2, and prevention measures — see our dedicated article on rabbit haemorrhagic disease.
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease — RHDV2 (emerging variant)
RHDV2, first identified in France in 2010 and now widespread across Europe, is antigenically distinct from RHDV1. It can affect younger kits than the classic virus and some hare species. Mortality varies with the strain, population and outbreak context and can be high.
Key point: RHDV2 is now the dominant form in most of Western Europe. Rabbits vaccinated against RHDV1 alone are not protected. The vaccine must cover RHDV2.
Vaccination schedule
There is no universal schedule independent of the product. As one documented example, the product information for Nobivac Myxo-RHD Plus specifies one injection from 5 weeks of age, onset of immunity after 3 weeks and a one-year duration of immunity. Other vaccines may specify a different minimum age, onset or course. The veterinarian therefore needs the exact product name and vaccination history, not a generic timetable.
Where to get your rabbit vaccinated
Not all vets are equally experienced with rabbits. It is advisable to consult a vet specializing in exotic pets or small mammals (sometimes called an exotic-pet or NAC specialist). Look for clinics that explicitly list rabbits among their areas of expertise.
What the vaccine does not do
- The vaccine does not guarantee 100% protection in all cases: an immunocompromised animal or one that is heavily exposed may still contract the disease in an attenuated form.
- The vaccine does not replace hygiene measures: regular litter cleaning, avoiding contact with wild rabbits or animals of unknown health status.
- Protection is not immediate. The interval depends on the product and is 3 weeks for Nobivac Myxo-RHD Plus. Follow the product information and the veterinarian’s precautions during that period.
Going further
For a step-by-step breakdown of timings, products and costs, see our practical rabbit vaccination schedule.
For broader health monitoring, read our article on what to do if your rabbit stops eating — the first warning sign of a health problem. Before adopting, you may also want to compare male vs female rabbit: spaying or neutering affects your vet schedule and is different for each sex.
Veterinary and regulatory sources
- EMA — Nobivac Myxo-RHD Plus — valencies, minimum age, onset and duration of immunity.
- ANSES-ANMV — Filavac VHD K C+V — an example covering RHDV1 and RHDV2 without myxomatosis.
- ANSES — rabbit haemorrhagic disease — emergence and spread of RHDV2.
Frequently asked questions
Does an indoor-only rabbit need to be vaccinated?
In most cases, yes, but the exact protocol should be confirmed with a rabbit-savvy vet. Myxomatosis and RHDV can be transmitted indirectly through mosquitoes, fleas, clothing, shoes, or outdoor plants brought indoors. An indoor rabbit is therefore not completely isolated from risk.
What age should vaccination start?
The minimum age depends on the vaccine. Nobivac Myxo-RHD Plus, for example, is authorised from 5 weeks of age. That age must not be applied to another product: the veterinarian follows the product information for the vaccine being used.
How much does a rabbit vaccine cost?
Fees vary by country, clinic, vaccine and the services included. Ask the clinic for its current vaccination consultation fee and budget for the booster date entered in the rabbit's record.
Are myxomatosis and RHDV vaccines the same everywhere?
No. Available vaccines vary by country and marketing authorisation. Nobivac Myxo-RHD Plus covers myxomatosis, RHDV1 and RHDV2. Other products cover RHDV1 and RHDV2 but not myxomatosis, so the vet must check the actual product's valencies rather than rely on a generic label such as bivalent or trivalent.