RABIES PROGRAMS
RABIES VACCINATIONS SUPPORT PUBLIC HEALTH
Vaccinating animals against rabies is an important public health measure and veterinarians play a key role in the combined effort to increase rabies vaccination rates and reduce the risk of human exposure to the rabies virus .
Veterinarians vaccinate animals against rabies , with regulatory oversight through the Ontario Ministry of Health , because it is a communicable disease . Legislative Overview : Rabies describes veterinarians ’ obligations under the Health Protection and Promotion Act ( HPPA , Ontario ) and the Health of Animals Act ( Canada ).
Legislative Overview : Rabies – describes the requirements under federal and provincial legislation regarding the control of rabies and vaccination . Answers to frequently asked questions provide further clarification .
Sample Form : Certificate of Rabies Immunization – provides a template , including items in legislation .
Sample Form : Certificate of Exemption from Rabies Immunization – provides a template , including items in legislation .
Veterinarians may conduct Rabies Programs and administer rabies vaccines to animals outside the regular veterinarian-client-patient relationship ( VCPR ). The Rabies Programs facilitates administration of rabies vaccines to as many animals as possible .
According to the Professional Practice Standard - Rabies Programs , rabies vaccines may be administered to animals that are not part of a veterinarian ’ s regular practice . With the approval of the College , a licensed veterinarian may offer a Rabies Program at an unaccredited facility at a specific date and time or at an accredited facility on a specific date , on a periodic basis throughout the year or regularly to non-clients .
To offer a Rabies Program , a licensed veterinarian applies for a certificate of accreditation for a temporary facility . When conducting a Rabies Program , a veterinarian is expected to :
– Meet the expectations in the Professional Practice Standard – Rabies Programs .
– Inform the public health unit that they are having a Rabies Program .
– Have resources available in case of adverse drug reactions .
– Establish infection control protocols .
– Ask about the animal ’ s health to determine if it should be vaccinated .
– Establish records for each animal that includes identification of the animal , name and contact information of the owner / custodian , type of vaccine with lot and serial number , and date of vaccination . The records are kept for three years .
– Issue a certificate of immunization to the animal ’ s owner / custodian signed by the veterinarian performing the vaccination , including name and phone number .
– Maintain a copy of the signed certificate ( hard copy or scan ) for three years .
– Educate animal owners on rabies vaccination including the reimmunization interval as specified in the product monograph of the vaccine . The reimmunization interval is required on the certificate of immunization .
– Submit a Rabies Program Data Report to the College within two weeks of the end of the Rabies Program . This data is collected for use by the Ministry of Health .
– Conform to practice standards and professional conduct requirements .
When conducting a Rabies Program from an unaccredited facility , such as a community centre , the sponsoring veterinarian is expected to invite local veterinarians to participate . This requirement is not applicable to Rabies Programs offered at an accredited facility .
The administration of a rabies vaccine can remain part of regular veterinary care . When providing rabies vaccinations through their accredited facility , veterinarians are required to establish a VCPR and have recent and sufficient knowledge of the animal to recommend and provide treatment . While the HPPA requires veterinarians to retain a copy of each signed rabies immunization certificate or statement of exemption issued for three years , these documents become part of a medical record which must be retained for five years after the last entry in accordance with the Medical Records standard .
The HPPA requires that veterinarians perform immunizations , but Regulation 1093 , s 19 ( 4 ) allows for immunizations to be delegated to competent staff . Immunizations in an unaccredited facility as part of a Rabies Program must be carried out by a veterinarian .
If you have questions about Rabies Program through a temporary facility , contact the accreditation team at accreditation @ cvo . org . If you have questions about the legislative requirements or practice standards , contact the Practice Advisory Service at practiceadvice @ cvo . org .
Resources : Rabies in Ontario
Report on Temporary Facility – Rabies Programs June 19 , 2019
4 College Connection Summer 2022 cvo . org