Pet rabbits need vaccination against three deadly viral diseases: myxomatosis, rabbit hemorrhagic disease type 1 (RHD1), and rabbit hemorrhagic disease type 2 (RHD2). Which vaccines are available to you depends heavily on where you live, with the UK and Europe offering a straightforward single-shot option and the United States working under a more limited emergency-use system.
The Three Diseases Vaccines Protect Against
All three viruses are serious threats to domestic rabbits, and none has a reliable treatment once symptoms appear. Vaccination is the only meaningful protection.
Myxomatosis is caused by a poxvirus and sometimes called “big head” because it produces swelling and skin lesions around the face. It is fatal in most domesticated rabbits, with losses in affected groups ranging from 25% to 90%. The virus spreads through biting insects like fleas and mosquitoes, as well as direct contact with infected rabbits. It is endemic across much of Europe and Australia, and outbreaks occur in parts of North America.
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD1 and RHD2) is even more sudden. Infected rabbits often show few clinical signs before dying within 6 to 24 hours of developing a fever. The illness rate in exposed groups is often 100%, and the death rate runs between 60% and 90%. RHD2 is a newer variant that emerged in Europe around 2010 and has since spread to North America, triggering a major outbreak across the western United States in 2020. Both strains spread through direct contact, contaminated food or bedding, and insects.
Indoor Rabbits Need Vaccines Too
A common misconception is that rabbits kept entirely indoors are safe from these viruses. They aren’t. The viruses spread through insect bites (mosquitoes can get indoors easily), on clothing and shoes, and on contaminated objects like hay or fresh greens. The Royal Veterinary College in London states directly that vector and fomite spread means these viruses can easily gain entry indoors, so indoor rabbits also require vaccination.
Vaccines Available in the UK and Europe
If you live in the UK or Europe, vaccination is straightforward. The standard vaccine is Nobivac Myxo-RHD PLUS, a single injection that covers all three diseases: myxomatosis, RHD1, and RHD2. It works by using modified myxoma virus strains that carry proteins from both RHD virus types, so one shot trains your rabbit’s immune system against all three threats.
Rabbits can receive their first vaccination from five weeks of age, with annual boosters recommended every 12 months after that. A newer vaccine called Yurvac has also become available, covering a recently detected RHD2 strain circulating in Europe. If your vet recommends Yurvac alongside the standard vaccine, the two need to be given at least two weeks apart.
Vaccines Available in the United States
The situation in the US is more complicated. No rabbit vaccines are FDA-approved for widespread commercial use. However, following the 2020 RHD2 outbreak, a domestic vaccine developed by Medgene Labs in South Dakota received emergency conditional approval from the USDA. This vaccine covers RHD2 only and requires two doses given 21 days apart, followed by annual boosters.
Because the vaccine is under conditional approval rather than full licensure, it can only be administered by a licensed veterinarian. Not every vet carries it, so you may need to call around or contact a rabbit-savvy exotic animal practice. Some states where outbreaks have occurred, like Washington, California, and New Mexico, have authorized its use through their state veterinarian’s office.
Commercial vaccines manufactured in France and Spain cover myxomatosis and both RHD strains, but they are not authorized for manufacture or general use in the US. During active outbreaks, the USDA can issue permits allowing individual veterinarians to import these vaccines after completing a federal application. The FDA granted such permits to some vets during the 2020 outbreak. If you’re in an area with active RHD cases, ask your vet whether imported vaccine is available locally.
Myxomatosis vaccination is generally not offered in the US because the disease is less prevalent there than in Europe, though wild rabbit populations in some regions do carry the virus.
Vaccination Schedule by Age
The timing depends on which vaccine your rabbit receives. In the UK and Europe, the combined Nobivac vaccine can be given as early as five weeks old, with a booster every 12 months. In the US, the Medgene RHD2 vaccine is approved for rabbits starting at 10 weeks old. The two-dose primary series is spaced 21 days apart, and annual boosters are recommended after that.
If you adopt an adult rabbit with no vaccination history, your vet can start the vaccine course at any age. There is no upper age limit. For the two-dose US vaccine, full protection develops after the second injection, so keep your rabbit isolated from potential exposure during the initial series.
What to Expect After Vaccination
Most rabbits tolerate vaccination well. The most common reaction is mild lethargy for a day or two, sometimes with a small lump at the injection site that resolves on its own. Reduced appetite for 12 to 24 hours is also normal. Serious allergic reactions are rare but possible with any vaccine. If your rabbit becomes unusually limp, stops eating entirely for more than a day, or develops significant swelling, contact your vet.
Quick Reference by Region
- UK and Europe: Nobivac Myxo-RHD PLUS from 5 weeks, annual boosters. Covers myxomatosis, RHD1, and RHD2. Yurvac available as an additional option for newer RHD2 strains, given at least 2 weeks apart from Nobivac.
- United States: Medgene RHD2 vaccine from 10 weeks, two doses 21 days apart, annual boosters. Covers RHD2 only. Must be administered by a licensed vet. Imported European vaccines covering all three diseases may be available through special USDA permits during outbreaks.
- Australia, New Zealand, and other regions: Availability varies. RHD vaccines are commonly offered through vets. Check with your local veterinary authority for currently approved products.
Vaccination is the single most effective thing you can do to protect your rabbit from these diseases. All three viruses are highly lethal, spread easily, and have no treatment once symptoms begin. Keeping up with annual boosters is just as important as the initial series, since protection fades over time.