HB 1488, Rabies Titer
I’m not an anti-vaxxer. I am a minimalist. It is known that any vaccine can aggravate an existing issue, including undetected underlying issues. Protocols of vaccine manufacturers warn against vaccinating any animal that is not in good health. The rabies vaccine, in particular, is known for adverse reactions, which should be reported to the veterinarian and by the veterinarian to a national register of adverse reactions.
So it is no wonder that pet owners wish to vaccinate as infrequently as possible. Presently, NH recognizes a rabies waiver signed by a board certified specialist (not your regular DVM), meaning that the animal must be under treatment for a specific disease.
Rabies is a terrible disease, and we all want our pets and ourselves protected. There is research on the length of time of protection afforded by rabies vaccines, which is attempting to prove that protection lasts five to seven years rather than only the three currently required. The research is easily found by searching “rabies challenge.”
The state should accept results of titer testing, which measures immunity in the blood, for healthy animals and those whose medical conditions are being treated by their regular vet and don’t require a specialist. The blood test can be drawn by any vet and sent to one of the labs that do rabies titers. Cost varies, but $200 to $300 is typical. It is an expense that many pet owners are more than willing to accept and many currently do so, even though results are not currently accepted by the state for licensing of dogs.