THE Malmesbury-based George Veterinary Group has urged pet owners to give their animals annual booster injections, despite claims they are unnecessary.

A group of 30 homeopathic vets, in a letter to the Veterinary Times, said many vaccinations lasted for years and did not require an annual booster.

But vet Cyril Hayes, of the George Veterinary Group, said the evidence showed boosters were needed.

He said: "We have had some discussion with pet owners about it. The most important reason we feel boosters are needed is because it is backed up by scientific research and not the anecdotal evidence of homeopathic vets."

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association said vaccinations were the greatest contribution to the health of pets over recent decades.

Annual booster vaccinations are necessary to prevent major epidemics, said the association.

The Veterinary Products Committee, an independent advisory group reporting to the Government, agreed. It emphasised the safety and value of regular vaccination and said there was insufficient justification to alter current recommendations.

Mr Hayes said there was another reason why annual vaccinations were needed because they allowed vets to make a regular health check of pets.