Rabies Vaccination is a Public Health issue. A veterinarian is the only professional that can give a rabies shot. In that capacity they are acting as a Publid Health Professional. The World Health Organization is where the policies originate. In the United States it then goes to the CDC, the National Associatioin of Public Health Veterinarians, and finally the to the individual States. In 1986 Congress passed a Toxin Act which removed the liability on the manufacturers of veterinary vaccines. The USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) are supporse to monitor and regulate the process. They are not a research body. They do not have enough adverse event reports to make any conclusions. A veterinarian is not required to submit any reports. In 2018 changes were initiated by the USDA CVB to require the manufacturers to share the adverse event reports with the USDA . On the drawing board at the USDA is a plan that would require vaccine companies to monitor vaccine safety in the pet population.
USDA CVB adverse event reporting only takes reports on events that are reported before the expiring date of the vaccine.
Titers are used in the process of manuafacturing the rabies vaccinations. Titers actually improve Public Health because it verifies active immunity in a pet that has been previously vaccinated. There are many variatbles as to why dogs respond differently, and some not at all. It also verifies if the vaccine itself is effective, which, by regulation, is not a requirement.
USDA CVB adverse event reporting only takes reports on events that are reported before the expiring date of the vaccine.
Titers are used in the process of manuafacturing the rabies vaccinations. Titers actually improve Public Health because it verifies active immunity in a pet that has been previously vaccinated. There are many variatbles as to why dogs respond differently, and some not at all. It also verifies if the vaccine itself is effective, which, by regulation, is not a requirement.
Introduced Legislation
Georgia - 2018 (State Coordinator has already started exemption and will work for titer)
Iowa -
South Carolina 2019
World Health Organization - Foundation Documents
WHO Expert Consultation on Rabies
Predictive factors for the neutralizing antibody response 2000
Human Rabies Prevention i- United States, 2008, Reommnedations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
Epidemiologic Notes and Reports Imported Dog and Cat Rabies - New Hampshire, California
|
Dr. Robb's Articles
Dosages are Linear by Weight (2017) | |
File Size: | 158 kb |
File Type: |
Dosage Chart - J. Robb | |
File Size: | 111 kb |
File Type: |
Published Articles
Risk Factors for Inadequate Antibody Response to Primary Rabies Vaccination in Dogs Under One Year of Age (2017) Online link to more data on document. | |
File Size: | 527 kb |
File Type: |
Summary - This retrospective study from Kansas State Diagnostic Rabies Lab continues to demonstrate that dosages are weight dependent and older puppies respond better to vaccination. See Dr. Robb's complete review here.
Adverse Events Diagnosed Within Three days (2005) | |
File Size: | 343 kb |
File Type: |
**Summary - This groundbreaking and historical study clearly showed vaccine reactions increase as the weight of the pet decreases. This proves the obvious, vaccines are dose dependent by weight and need to be dosed appropriately or small pets get overdosed! NOTE: This study did not include the number of dogs that died.
Effects of Body Weight on Antibody Titers.pdf (2012) | |
File Size: | 1767 kb |
File Type: |
Summary – This article clearly showed for distemper and rabies vaccination (all pets given 1ml of vaccine), the titers increased as the weight of the pet decreased. Again, clearly indicating the obvious, that vaccines are dose dependent by weight. By dosing vaccines by weight, we can decrease vaccine reactions.
Factors Associated With The Success Of Rabies Vaccination Of Dogs In Sweden 2011.pdf | |
File Size: | 946 kb |
File Type: |
"Breed size was found significant in reaching the 0.5 IU/ml (internationally accepted titer level). The probability of success depended on the size of the dog. "Big dogs needed twice the volume by giving a second ml (milliliter). Again, indicating vaccines are dose dependent by weight."
Factors Influencing the Antibody Response of Dogs Vaccinated Against Rabies.pdf (2007) | |
File Size: | 567 kb |
File Type: |
Summary – This article concluded, “Our data suggests that a general relationship between animal size and level of antibody response exists and smaller sized dogs elicited higher antibody levels than larger breeds of dog”. Again, concluding the obvious, vaccines are dose dependent by weight!
Flawed Assumptions Fuel Autoimmune Disease - The Sorry State of Vaccine Safety Science June (June 2017) | |
File Size: | 128 kb |
File Type: |
Summary - The current vaccine safety measures fall short of consumer expectations. The tact that vaccines are safe until proven otherwise if flawed. Molecular understanding is still uncovering how the immune system responds. Assumptions are not prudent and a minimal approach is warranted.
Liability Related to Vaccination - Flemming, JAVMA (2002) | |
File Size: | 35 kb |
File Type: |
Summary – Several important points in this article. 1.“…so using a vaccine in a manner other than stated on the package is not considered extra label use, … a more appropriate term is discretionary use.” 2. “The prevailing standard of care regarding the use of vaccines is in a state of flux”. And 3. “When vaccination inherently involves risk of death or serious harm to the animal, it is the veterinarian’s duty to disclose to the client the possibilities of such an outcome.”
Postmarketing surveillance of rabies vaccines for dogs to evaluate safety and efficacy
Summary - outlines that field saftety studies are the most comprehensive evaluation for safety analysis and they are not done. Product testing is limited by time, a low number of animals and short observation period. Two dogs with confirmed rabies were documented for vaccine failure. Presumption were made on safety and vaccine failure rate.
Practical Significance of Rabies Antibodies In Cats And Dogs 1992.pdf | |
File Size: | 12893 kb |
File Type: |
Summary - This article showed that measuring rabies antibodies, a blood titer, clearly indicated immunity by challenge. This groundbreaking and historic study opened the door to use a rabies titer as a legal requirement for international travel.
Rabies in Vaccinated Dogs and Cats in the United States 1997-2001 ABSTRACT (2009) | |
File Size: | 134 kb |
File Type: |
Summary - This retrospective study showed that some dogs and cats with a prior rabies vaccination were not protected. Whether it was vaccine failure or non-responders was not reported. The rabies vaccine should not be assumed to be effective. A vaccine certificate does not indicate immunity, only prior vaccination. However, circulating antibodies, a blood titer, would have revealed the vaccinated pets that did not mount an immune response. Checking titers would imporve oversight and improve public safety.
Other Documentation
February 2017 Connecticut Public Health Hearing - 49 Articles and Declarations presented by Dr Robb's at the Connecticut Public Health Hearing | |
File Size: | 4741 kb |
File Type: |
Letter to Dr. Richard Hill, USDA Director for Veterinary Biologics, from Dr. Robb (2014) | |
File Size: | 218 kb |
File Type: |