Final answer:
The decision to vaccinate should be based on a risk-benefit assessment, accounting for the health of the animal before vaccination and considering factors such as exposure and disease severity. Vaccines play a crucial role in public health by preventing disease outbreaks and achieving herd immunity, especially for those who cannot be vaccinated.
Step-by-step explanation:
The decision to vaccinate, even with core vaccines, should be based on a risk-benefit assessment. Benefits of vaccination should be balanced against the risk of adverse events, the likelihood of exposure, and disease severity. Every effort should be made to ensure that cats are healthy before vaccination. Indeed, it is true that concurrent illness, including retroviral infections, does not necessarily preclude vaccination.
Vaccination is vital for public health, reducing the likelihood of disease outbreaks by boosting immunity. It strikes the balance between the risk of adverse reactions and potential health benefits. Compromised individuals who cannot be vaccinated rely on herd immunity, which is achieved when a significant portion of the population is immunized. Despite potential risks, the widespread consensus is that the low risk of vaccination outweighs the risk of infection.
Moreover, vaccination aims to prevent severe diseases such as measles, which are on the rise due to declining vaccination rates. It's based on the principle that exposure to antigens, which do not cause disease, helps generate immune memory. This protective measure is crucial for keeping diseases under control and protecting vulnerable populations.