WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RABIES
Both the KVMA Office and Dr. Kelly Giesbrecht - KY State Public Health Veterinarian who oversees rabies protocols and administration have received many calls on what is allowable for rabies clinics, ages, and overall general information. Dr. Giesbrecht has gathered the information below that should be helpful for you and your staff.
Rabies clinics are covered under 902 KAR 2:070 Rabies Control, Section 8. Section 8. Local Health Department Operating a Mass Rabies Vaccination Clinic.
(1) A local health department may sponsor a countywide rabies vaccination clinic per year for the purpose of vaccinating dogs, cats, and ferrets.
(2) At least one (1) Kentucky licensed veterinarian shall be available on-site during the rabies clinic to: (a) Provide the initial vaccine to a dog, cat, or ferret in accordance with Section 2 of this administrative regulation;
(b) 1. Provide a three (3) year vaccine booster to a dog or cat with proof of previous rabies vaccination; and 2. Provide a one (1) year vaccine booster to a ferret with proof of previous rabies vaccination; and
(c) Be available to provide medical care if an adverse vaccine event occurs.
(3) An owner shall not be charged more than ten (10) dollars for each vaccination given. Tis means the maximum charge for a Rabies Vaccine is $10.00
• A provider can give additional services, sell products, if the client wants them, such as other vaccines, deworming, etc. Encounters with a Rabies Clinic is a great way to provide additional animal health that the pet may not otherwise receive and establish a client-provider relationship.
• Tere is no set charge for any other service. • An exam fee should not be charged in a Rabies Clinic.
• Additionally, like any other Rabies vaccine, a NASPHV Form 51, vaccine certificate must be filled out for each animal given a rabies vaccine. One copy, along with a tag, is given to the client. Te veterinarian retains the other certificate.
Another question frequently asked is regarding the age of the initial vaccine. KRS 258.015 states:
1. Every owner shall have his dog, cat, or ferret initially vaccinated against rabies by the age of four (4) months and revaccinated at the expiration of the immunization period as certified by the veterinarian.
Tis does not mean the vet has to wait until 4 months of age, but the dog, cat or ferret needs to be vac- cinated by 4 months of age, not AT. Veterinarians can follow manufacturers guidelines on the earliest an animal (usually 3 months) can be vaccinated.
• Te first time an animal is vaccinated, it is only good for one year. A 3 or 1 year vaccine can be used, but if a 3 year vaccine is used, it still expires in one year.
• If it is the second or greater vaccine, the 3 year vaccine is good for 3 years. What if someone purchases rabies vaccine on-line and it is not administered by a veterinarian?
1. For the horse, there is no required rabies vaccine, although, of course, you can vaccinate your horse against rabies and it’s a good idea to do that. So the vaccine is not restricted to veterinarians only since it’s not part of the public health program.
30 KVMA News Continued on pg. 31
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