Rabies vaccination is required for which species?

• Dogs, cats, and ferrets. 

Who is legally authorized to administer a rabies vaccine?

• A licensed veterinarian only. 

How long must a copy of the signed rabies certificate be maintained by the practice?

• No requirement is stipulated by the State. Individual counties, however, may define a requirement.

• (consider the signed rabies vaccination certificate to be part of the individual patient’s medical record). 

What are the age requirements for rabies vaccination in Georgia?

• • MINIMUM Age: 3 months of age. 

  • MUST BE VACCINATED BY: Not stipulated in Georgia)

Following administration of the initial dose of rabies vaccine, when is an animal considered to be "currently vaccinated"?

• 28 days following administration of the initial dose of rabies vaccine. This applies regardless of the animal’s age at the time the initial dose is administered.  

  In the event of a rabies exposure within the 28-day period, the consequences for the exposed pet (and its owner) would be determined on a case-by-case basis.

What criteria constitute "currently vaccinated" against rabies?

• The term “currently vaccinated” is commonly used within the context of state laws affecting rabies vaccination and control. Within the US, an animal that is “currently vaccinated” must meet EACH of the following criteria.  

  The animal must be vaccinated: 

  • ...with a USDA licensed rabies vaccine. 

  • ...with a vaccine that is within the labeled expiration date.

  • ...by an individual who is authorized to administer rabies vaccine. 
    (NOTE: requirements vary significantly among states-see FAQ #2 for the requirement in this state). 

  • ...at the appropriate age, interval, and dose (i.e., the FULL dose, as stipulated on the manufacturer’s label, must be administered). 

Is there an extended-duration (beyond 3 years) rabies vaccine available today? (see also Question #10)

• NO. 

  USDA licensed rabies vaccines available for administration to animals residing with the US are only 1-Year or 3-Year labeled vaccines. 4-YEAR labeled rabies vaccines have been discontinued and are no longer recognized in the US.  

  In Georgia, a veterinarian has the discretion to administer a 1-Year or 3-Year labeled rabies vaccine as THE INITIAL DOSE. However...re-vaccination (booster) is required 1 year following the initial dose...regardless of the animal’s age and regardless of the vaccine administered as the initial dose.  

  RE-VACCINATION of DOGS and CATS: When re-vaccinating (booster) against rabies, the duration that a dog or cat is considered “currently vaccinated” is strictly determined by the product label of the last vaccine administered (ie, either 1 year or 3 years).  

  RE-VACCINATION of FERRETS: When re-vaccinating (booster) against rabies, the duration that a ferret is considered “currently vaccinated” is only 1 year.

What are the rabies vaccination requirements for a dog/cat imported from another state or country?

• Georgia DPH does not stipulate a requirement...BUT, the State Veterinarian does (GA Dept of Agriculture).  

  (NOTE: specific State requirements are pending review by the State Veterinarian)

Can a 3-year labeled rabies vaccine be substituted for a 1-year labeled rabies vaccine when administering the initial dose?

• Yes. However, the rabies certificate can only reflect the maximum duration of efficacy for the county in which the vaccination was administered.  

  At the present time, there are over 20 counties in GA that are “one-year” rabies counties (ie, annual rabies vaccination of pets is required). In those counties a 3-Year labeled rabies vaccine can be administered, but a one-year certificate will be issued. 

What are the re-vaccination requirements for a pet that is overdue for a required rabies booster? (4 parts)

• When is an animal considered to be "overdue" for a rabies booster?

  • An animal is considered “overdue”, and NOT currently vaccinated, if just one day beyond the labeled duration of the last rabies vaccine administered (1 year or 3 years).  

    The exception to this rule is that an animal is considered “overdue” after just one year following the initial rabies vaccine dose, regardless of the vaccine labeling.

• Following re-vaccination of an "overdue" animal, when is the animal considered to be "currently vaccinated"?

  • A dog or cat that is overdue for a rabies vaccine is considered “immediately currently vaccinated” at the time the animal is re-vaccinated. 

    This rule applies despite the time that has lapsed since administration of the previous dose of rabies vaccine.  

• When re-vaccinating the “overdue” patient, which vaccine must be used (1-Year or 3-Year labeled vaccine)?

  • Either a 1-Year or a 3-Year Rabies vaccine may be administered.  

• When is the NEXT dose due?

  • The interval is determined by the label of the vaccine administered. 

    EXCEPTION: In counties that are designated “one-year” counties for purposes of re-vaccination of pets against rabies, re-vaccination is required annually; a 1-Year or a 3-Year labeled rabies vaccine may be administered. 

Can a "positive" rabies antibody titer substitute for a required booster dose?

• No. Within the United States, a rabies antibody titer is NOT recognized as an index of immunity (or protection) in lieu of vaccination.  

  NOTE: A “positive” rabies titer from a certified laboratory only means that the animal (at the time of travel) has been “adequately vaccinated” against rabies and meets the rabies vaccination requirement of that country/region at the time of importation. 

  For a current list of importation requirements by country see: 

  https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel 

  or 

  Search: APHIS Pet Travel 

What constitutes rabies "exposure" in a pet?

• In dogs/cats, the definition of “exposure” to rabies is based on the specie of the animal that caused the exposure. For example, for a pet dog/cat to be “exposed” to rabies by another dog/cat (“low risk” species), there must be evidence of a bite wound or scratch (ie, skin trauma) to be considered “exposure” to rabies. 

  On the other hand, if a pet dog/cat is exposed to a bat or raccoon (“high risk” species) evidence of a bite wound or scratch is NOT required (ie, cat brings a dead bat into the house...even in the absence of a visible bite/scratch, the cat is still considered “exposed” to rabies).

Who has the authority to determine if a pet has been exposed to rabies?

• State Response Pending

What are the consequences of rabies "exposure" in a pet that is "currently vaccinated"? (see also FAQ #6 and #13)

• Typically, a rabies booster is administered ASAP (within 96 hours of exposure), followed by observation for 45 days in the owner’s home. 

What are the consequences of rabies "exposure" in a pet that is not "currently vaccinated"? (see also FAQ #6 and #13)

• Three variations must be considered in determining management of the exposed animal.

  • Unvaccinated (ie, has NEVER been vaccinated against rabies):

    • Typically, a 6-month double-pen quarantine or (on occasion) euthanasia. The actual decision rests with the local health authorities depending upon the availability of resources. The Georgia DPH may be consulted in reaching a final decision.

  • Is OVERDUE for a booster, and has documentation of prior vaccination:

    • State Response Pending

  • Is OVERDUE for a booster, but DOES NOT HAVE documentation of vaccination:

    • State Response Pending

Does Georgia recognize the results of Prospective Serologic Monitoring (PSM) as valid documentation that a dog/cat has been previously vaccinated against rabies?

• State Response Pending

• Prospective Serologic Monitoring (PSM) is a defined testing protocol specifically indicated for use in dogs & cats (ONLY) that have been determined (by public health or rabies control authorities) to be “exposed” to rabies (See also FAQs #12 and #13 in this section) yet, the owner is unable to provide valid documentation of recent rabies vaccination.  

  NOTE: the PSM testing protocol and submission requirements are strictly defined and must be adhered to. The PSM testing protocol is available at: http://www.nasphv.org/Documents/NASPHVSerologicMonitoring2016.pdf 

  Indications for PSM: Applies ONLY to dogs and cats. 

  WHERE PSM is ALLOWED BY THE STATE or LOCAL JURISDICTION, all the following criteria must apply:

  • the dog/cat has been exposed to a confirmed or suspected rabid animal (as determined by public health or designated rabies control authorities); and,

  • the owner cannot provide valid documentation of previous vaccination (with a USDA Licensed vaccine); and,

  • the owner of the dog/cat that is determined to have been “exposed” to rabies (see questions #12 and #13) wants to avoid euthanasia or the expense of strict quarantine (usually 4 months or 6 months, depending on the state); and,

  • the animal can be managed by a veterinarian who is able to conduct the PSM protocol.

• NOTE: Please check the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians website at www.nasphv.org for the most current guidance on the testing protocol prior to any sample collection. 

  NOTE: properly labelled, paired specimens are required. Do not send samples separately. Both serum samples should be received by the laboratory at the same time. 

What action is required if an animal that is "currently vaccinated" bites a person? (see also FAQ #6)

• The animal causing a bite injury to a person is required to be quarantined for 10 DAYS. 

  This requirement is the same whether the biting animal is currently vaccinated or is not vaccinated.  

  (NOTE: THE LOCATION IN WHICH THE ANIMAL IS QUARANTINED MAY BE DETERMINED BY LOCAL RABIES CONTROL AUTHORITIES). 

  DO NOT VACCINATE the animal prior to beginning the 10-day confinement. REASON: a reaction to vaccination could be confused with early signs of rabies.

  • For dogs, cats, ferrets having a known owner: 10-day observation at home.

  • For dogs, cats, ferrets without a known owner: 10 day observation period (in a designated facility) or euthanasia & testing.

  • For wildlife/species with no shedding period established: euthanasia & testing. 

What action is required if an animal that is "not currently vaccinated" bites a person? (see also FAQ #6)

• The animal causing a bite injury to a person is required to be quarantined for 10 DAYS. 

  This requirement is the same whether the biting animal is currently vaccinated or is not vaccinated.  

  (NOTE: THE LOCATION IN WHICH THE ANIMAL IS QUARANTINED MAY BE DETERMINED BY LOCAL RABIES CONTROL AUTHORITIES). 

  DO NOT VACCINATE the animal prior to beginning the 10-day confinement. REASON: a reaction to vaccination could be confused with early signs of rabies.

  • For dogs, cats, ferrets having a known owner: 10-day observation at home.

  • For dogs, cats, ferrets without a known owner: 10 day observation period (in a designated facility) or euthanasia & testing.

  • For wildlife/species with no shedding period established: euthanasia & testing. 

As a licensed veterinarian, do you have the authority to exempt an animal from the legal requirement to be vaccinated against rabies? (eg., for medical reasons)

• NO. Veterinarians do not have authority to opt pets out of rabies vaccination. Owners may decide to opt out of vaccination, but they do so at their own risk and should acknowledge the potential consequences of having their unvaccinated animal involved in an exposure incident (animal to animal or animal to human.) 

  If a veterinarian is party to (involved with making) this decision, then he/she assumes some of the potential liability. 

At what age is it no longer necessary to vaccinate an animal against rabies?

• Within states that require rabies vaccine be administered, re-vaccination is required throughout life at the appropriate interval for the species indicated by State or local laws/regulations. Exemption is not authorized on the basis of age alone. 

Is rabies vaccination of a hybrid or exotic pet allowed or recognized?

• No.

At the State level, what authority does the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control carry?

• The Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control is published by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, Inc. Recommendations outlined in the latest version of the Compendium serve as a basis for animal rabies prevention and control programs throughout the United States and facilitate standardization of procedures among jurisdictions. As published, the Compendium is not a statutory document. 

  NOTE: many (but not all) States have recently revised rabies laws/regulations by citing designated recommendations outlined in the latest version of the Compendium. Where cited in law, published recommendations do serve as the legal basis for patient management decisions made in practice as they concern rabies and rabies vaccination.  

  Compendium recommendations, if included as legal requirements for this state, are reflected in the FAQs listed within this section.