Rabies vaccination is required for which species?

• Dogs (ONLY) are required by law to be vaccinated against rabies and licensed.

  Although not required by law, vaccination of cats, ferrets, and other pets against rabies is strongly encouraged. In New Jersey, several municipalities do require vaccination of cats against rabies and licensure through ordinance.

  (COMMENT: in NJ in 2013, 18 cats were diagnosed with rabies; no dogs were diagnosed with rabies. Since 1989, when raccoon rabies entered the State, 409 cats have been confirmed with rabies compared with only 7 dogs)

Who is legally authorized to administer a rabies vaccine?

• A licensed veterinarian.

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

• The State of New Jersey does not define a specific time period for a veterinarian to retain a copy of the rabies vaccination certificate. However, the signed certificate should be considered part of the patient’s medical record. Three (3) years minimum is recommended.

What are the age requirements for rabies vaccination in New Jersey?

• MINIMUM Age: 12 weeks (3 months)

  MUST BE VACCINATED BY: 7 months of age.

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.  

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. 

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

• (NOTE: requirements vary significantly among states-see FAQ #2 for the requirement in this state).

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 New Jersey, 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?

• New Jersey does require dogs being imported into the State to have a CERTIFICATE of VETERINARY INSPECTION (CVI) issued by a licensed veterinarian in the country or state of origin within 30 days of travel.

  A rabies vaccination is NOT required for importation.

  However, all dogs over 7 months of age MUST be licensed (and therefore vaccinated) within 10 days of arrival. Dogs arriving in NJ with a valid rabies vaccination certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian from another State may qualify for licensure if the duration of immunity extends through at least 10 of the 12 month licensing period.

  Dogs that are imported into NJ (eg, dogs owned by military personnel re-assigned to a base or post in New Jersey) from another country that have been vaccinated with a rabies vaccine NOT licensed by the USDA are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The NJ Dept of Health may direct a municipal licensing official to have the owner re-vaccinate the dog prior to licensure.

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

• Yes. The State of New Jersey allows the veterinarian to use discretion in the selection and use of 1-year or a 3-year labeled rabies vaccine at any point in the animal’s life.

  HOWEVER, if a 3-year labeled rabies vaccine is administered as the FIRST dose of rabies vaccine at 3 months of age or older, a booster must be administered within 1 year.

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)?

  • The State of New Jersey encourages that a 3-year labeled rabies vaccine be administered…”regardless” of the time it is overdue. Veterinarians have discretion to use a 1-year or a 3-year labeled rabies vaccine.

• When is the NEXT dose due?

  • The duration of immunity, and the re-vaccination interval, is determined by the product label.

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

• NO. Within the United States, a “positive” rabies antibody titer is NOT recognized as an index of immunity (or protection) in lieu of vaccination and therefore does NOT substitute for a required 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?

• New Jersey provides an exceptionally clear description of domestic animal rabies exposures. Four CATEGORIES are defined:

  Exposure Category 1: Visible bite wound or wounds known to have been sustained from a known or suspect rabid animal.

  Exposure Category 2: Situations in which saliva or central nervous tissue from a known or suspect rabid animal is likely to have had direct contact with mucous membranes (eyes) or a break in the skin of the animal. An example of this would be a dog fighting face to face with a raccoon or having a raccoon in its mouth.

  Exposure Category 3: Wounds of unknown origin suspected by a veterinarian to be bite wounds.

  Exposure Category 4: Situations when an animal may have been near a known or suspect rabid animal but direct contact was not witnessed. Examples of this include an owner finds a dead raccoon in the yard where dogs are kept or a bat is found in a room with a cat. If the suspect rabid animal is tested and found to be negative for rabies, the potentially exposed animal would not need to be confined and observed.

  (The specific category of exposure is determined by authorities from the Local Health department; however, it is expected that such determinations would be made in conjunction with the examining veterinarian).

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

• The specific category of exposure is determined by authorities from the Local Health department; however, it is expected that such determinations would be made in conjunction with the examining veterinarian.

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

• FOR EXPOSURE CATEGORIES 1 or 2: 

  (see FAQ #12 for Exposure Categories)

• Report to the local health department.

• Administer rabies booster vaccination immediately (within 96 hours of exposure).

• Confine and observe animal for 45 days. The animal shall be kept inside a building or pen or on a leash under the immediate control of an adult. The local health department should issue an official confinement notice to the owner of the animal.

• Note: Animals that have received a booster rabies vaccine due to exposure would not need an additional booster if exposed again within 8 weeks.
      


• FOR EXPOSURE CATEGORIES 3 or 4:

  (see FAQ #12 for Exposure Categories)

• A report to the local health department is not necessary.


• Administer a rabies booster vaccination to the exposed animal as soon as possible. If the animal does not receive a booster vaccination, distribute a copy of the Rabies Advisory Notice to the owner and have them observe the animal for signs of rabies for six months.

• Distribute a copy of the Rabies Advisory Notice to the owner and advise them to observe the animal for clinical signs of rabies for a period of 45 days.


• Note: Animals that have received a booster rabies vaccine due to exposure would not need an additional booster if exposed again within 8 weeks.

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):

    • Euthanasia is strongly recommended. If the exposed animal has bitten a human within 10 days of the date of euthanasia, a specimen should be submitted for rabies testing.

    • Report to the local Health Officer if the owner chooses not to euthanize the animal.

    • The local health department shall order the animal to be confined and observed for 6 months in strict isolation (ie, no human contact) in a kennel or cage in a veterinary hospital, animal control facility or commercial boarding establishment, or escape-proof pen at the owner’s home. Local health department shall approve confinement facilities and perform unannounced inspection to ensure compliance.

    • It is recommended that exposed animals be confined between the time of the exposure and final disposition of the animal, which should be made within 10 days of the exposure. If more than 10 days is required to strictly isolate the exposed animal, it should be housed in a secure animal control or veterinary facility.

    • The exposed animal should be vaccinated against rabies one month prior to release from confinement.

• FOR EXPOSURE CATEGORIES 3 or 4:
  (see FAQ #12 for Exposure Categories)

• A report to the local health department is not necessary.

• Administer a rabies booster vaccination to the exposed animal as soon as possible. If the animal does not receive a booster vaccination, distribute a copy of the Rabies Advisory Notice to the owner and have them observe the animal for signs of rabies for six months.

• Distribute a copy of the Rabies Advisory Notice to the owner and advise them to observe the animal for clinical signs of rabies for a period of 45 days.

• 
  Note: Animals that have received a booster rabies vaccine due to exposure would not need an additional booster if exposed again within 8 weeks.

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

    FOR EXPOSURE CATEGORIES 1 or 2:
    (see FAQ #12 for Exposure Categories)
    
    Local health officials may impose a “modified confinement” as follows:

    • Administer rabies vaccination immediately (within 96 hours of exposure) following the exposure. Owners should be reminded of the importance of following the confinement requirements despite the fact that the animal has received a vaccination.

    • The animal shall be kept in an area with a double barrier to prevent escape. This could include housing an animal in part of a house, as long as the animal does not have access to an exterior door. If the animal is allowed to go outside, it must be walked on a secure leash by an adult within a secure fence on the owner’s property.

    • Access to people shall be limited to one adult in the household who is aware of the potential for rabies transmission in the event that the animal is infected with rabies. The persons having direct contact with the animal shall be informed that they will require rabies prophylaxis in the event that the animal develops rabies and they have been exposed to the saliva.

      
      FOR EXPOSURE CATEGORIES 3 or 4:
      (see FAQ #12 for Exposure Categories)

    • A report to the local health department is not necessary.

    • Administer a rabies vaccination to the exposed animal as soon as possible.

    • Distribute a copy of the Rabies Advisory Notice to the owner and have them observe the animal for signs of rabies for six months.
       

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

    State Response Pending

Does New Jersey 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.

  DO NOT VACCINATE the animal prior to beginning the 10-day confinement. 
   
  REASON: an adverse reaction to the vaccine could be confused with early signs of rabies and could result in a decision to euthanize and test.

  NOTE: This requirement is the same whether the biting animal is currently vaccinated or is not vaccinated. See FAQ #18.  

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

  Biting animals are usually confined at the owner’s home or at another location (such as a pound) that is approved by the Health Officer. The owner or caregiver of the animal shall immediately report to the Health Officer if the confined animal develops clinical signs of rabies during the 10 day confinement.
  Local health departments are responsible for assessment of the confined animal and releasing it at the end of the 10-day confinement period.

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.

  DO NOT VACCINATE the animal prior to beginning the 10-day confinement. 
   
  REASON: an adverse reaction to the vaccine could be confused with early signs of rabies and could result in a decision to euthanize and test.

  This requirement is the same whether the biting animal is currently vaccinated or is not vaccinated.  See also FAQ #17.

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

  As is the case in most States, New Jersey requires a 10-day confinement and observation period. Biting animals are usually confined at the owner’s home or at another location (such as a pound) that is approved by the Health Officer. The owner or caregiver of the animal shall immediately report to the Health Officer if the confined animal develops clinical signs of rabies during the 10 day confinement.

  (Local health departments are responsible for assessment of the confined animal and releasing it at the end of the 10-day confinement period.

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)

• Yes. New Jersey is one of a few States that grant rabies vaccination exemption authority to veterinarians.

  The veterinarian must complete the NJDOH CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION FROM RABIES VACCINATION form, which must be signed by the veterinarian AND the owner. The owner must acknowledge that the exemption period is in effect for “up to one year” only …and…

  The terms of the exemption do NOT exempt the pet from other laws related to rabies (eg, if the pet is exposed to a known or suspected rabid animal).

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 as required by State or local laws/regulations. Exemption is not authorized on the basis of age.

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

• The State of New Jersey does not define specific restrictions regarding the vaccination of hybrid species against rabies. Vaccination of hybrids species with a vaccine licensed for use in dogs or cats would be considered as extra-label use. In the event a rabies vaccinated hybrid dog/cat is exposed to a known or suspect rabid animal, the animal will be managed as a NON-vaccinate.

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.