Canine influenza is an airborne virus that spreads quickly and is such a new virus that many dogs have little or no immunity. Our hospital has made it standard policy that all boarders must be vaccinated against it. It is highly contagious and in some cases may be fatal. If your dog has never been vaccinated against this virus, they will receive their first vaccine and a booster 3-4 weeks later. After these initial vaccines, your dog will have this vaccine boostered on a yearly basis.