Why Challenge Current Rabies Vaccine Policy?

 

Rabies vaccination is required by law in nearly all areas. Even though
protection from rabies is documented to last at least three years, current
law in some states or areas still requires that boosters be given annually
or biannually rather than the standard policy of every three years. However,
vaccination against rabies virus is occasionally associated with
debilitating adverse effects. According to the CDC domestic animals account
for less than 10% of the reported rabies cases, with cats, cattle, and dogs
most often reported rabid. Scientific data indicate that vaccinating dogs
against rabies every three years, as most states require, is unnecessary.
Studies have shown the duration of protective immunity as measured by serum
antibody titers against rabies virus to persist for seven years
post-vaccination. By validating the 'true' life of rabies virus immunity and
moving to five and hopefully seven years, we will decrease the risk of
adverse reactions in our animals and minimize their repeated exposure to
foreign substances. Killed vaccines like those for rabies virus can trigger
both immediate and delayed adverse vaccine reactions (termed "vaccinosis").
While there may be immediate hypersensitivity reactions, other acute events
tend to occur 24-72 hours afterwards, or up to 45 days later in the case of
delayed reactions.

Reactions that have been documented include:

a.. Behavior changes such as aggression and separation anxiety
b.. Obsessive behavior,self-mutilation, tail chewing
c.. Pica - eating wood, stones, earth, stool
d.. Destructive behavior, shredding bedding
e.. Seizures, epilepsy
f.. Fibrosarcomas at injection site
g.. Autoimmune diseases such as those affecting bone marrow and blood
cells, joints, eyes, skin, kidney, liver, bowel and central nervous system
h.. Muscular weakness and or atrophy
i.. Chronic digestive problems