Viral Vector Vaccines for Cats: A Comprehensive Review

Vaccination plays a vital role in the prevention and control of infectious viruses in cats, including feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), feline calicivirus (FCV), and feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1). Although conventional vaccines face several limitations, viral vector vaccines (VVVs) have emerged as a promising alternative, leveraging their efficient antigen delivery and ability to induce robust humoral and cellular immune responses. Multiple viral vector platforms—such as adenovirus (AdV), poxvirus, adeno-associated virus (AAV), alphavirus and herpesvirus—have been extensively researched and demonstrate strong potential for real-world application. This review examines the characteristics of these viral vectors and highlights recent progress in their use for feline vaccine development. Furthermore, the same technological platform offers innovative approaches for addressing parasitic infections such as Toxoplasma gondii for which research is currently limited.