Cat vaccine loses chlamydia component, Novosibirsk vet warns

Starting in February 2026, the Multifel vaccine for cats has changed its composition — the component for preventing chlamydia has been removed. Novosibirsk veterinarians and breeders fear a worsening of the epidemiological situation in shelters and purebred catteries.

Information about the change appeared on the manufacturer«s website — Vetbiokhim LLC. Now the drug can be used only for the prevention of feline panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus.

The vaccine «Multifel» (starting from series 11 of 02.2026 and onwards) will be produced without the chlamydia component. All changes have been entered into the registration dossier and approved by Rosselkhoznadzor, the statement said.

As noted by Kristina Nikitina, director of the Novosibirsk Veterinary Center for Sterilization and Surgery, these changes will most strongly affect shelters and catteries, i.e., places where cats congregate.

For domestic cats that live alone or in pairs, this is not critical. But for crowded housing of cats (shelters, catteries), chlamydia can become a problem because its symptoms are similar to rhinotracheitis — nasal and ocular discharge. However, when testing by PCR, we do not detect herpes (another name for the virus), so we then look for mycoplasmosis or chlamydia. There is currently no alternative immunoprophylaxis against chlamydia on the market, she noted.

Olga Gruzd, president of the cat lovers« club Kotomir and a breed expert, added that the situation could also be critical for breeders and cat show organizers.

NGS contacted the manufacturer to ask for the reason for the composition change and whether the release of another vaccine with this component is planned.

In March 2025, NGS reported that cats in Novosibirsk often die from the leukemia virus, which causes cancer. Veterinarians named preventive measures.