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AVMA Passes Rabies Waivers

Posted : 3/26/2012 6:27:12 PM

AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) EXECUTIVE BOARD PASSES ANNUAL RABIES VACCINATION WAIVER[/b] http://www.avma.org/about_avma/governance/hod/2012RegularWinterSession/Resolution_2_rabies_vaccination_Final.pdf

"...AVMA recognizes some animals might require a waiver from rabies vaccination because the vaccination poses an unacceptably high risk to the health of the individual animal..."[/i]

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Freedom

Posted : 3/26/2012 6:34:52 PM

?? I don't get it. The state law is what has to allow this. Most vets will do this and give you a letter to show your state.

Why is this a big deal?

Kris L. Christine

Posted : 3/26/2012 7:50:42 PM

Only 15 out of 50 states have provisions in their laws/regulations to allow waivers. It is not true that "most vets" will do this, especially in the vast majority of states that do not have waivers. In fact, there are many vets in states which do have medical exemption clauses in their laws who will not write waivers for desperately ill animals.

This is a big deal because the AVMA is one of the nation's leading associations setting the standard for veterinary medical care. Official recognition by the American Veterinary Medical Association that there are cases in which rabies vaccination "poses an unacceptably high risk to the health of the individual animal" provides a powerful boost to our legislative efforts to incorporate medical exemption clauses into the 35 state laws/regulations which currently do not have them.

calliecritturs

Posted : 3/26/2012 11:19:50 PM

Sandie -- even states where there are supposedly waivers won't all work with a vet to get them. I got a waiver her in Florida but it was a freaking big huge deal ... and a TON of places won't help people with this. This is HUGE news to be honest -- particularly for dogs who have auto-immune problems (like my Billy who had IMHA) and can *not* be vaccinated.

Kris L. Christine

Posted : 3/27/2012 6:13:03 AM

Yes, this is an enormous step forward!

Freedom

Posted : 3/27/2012 8:03:32 AM

OK, thanks. As my state allows them, as I said, I just didn't understand.

BigBlueDog

Posted : 3/27/2012 8:50:30 AM

Hello. I noticed the following language in the Resolution -- do you think that IMHA and ITP animals fall outside of "most"? In other words, would those IMHA and ITP animals be eligible for a rabies exemption? (I understand this Resolution is only a recommendation, so I would still need to figure out what to do in Indiana which does not have an exemption). Just looking for your opinion. Thanks. -Keka "Modern killed virus or recombinant rabies vaccines have no risk of inducing rabies in the vaccinated animal and are not contraindicated in most immunocompromised animals."

Kris L. Christine

Posted : 3/27/2012 12:18:53 PM

The AVMA policy is just a guideline, decisions on whether a dog's health warrants a waiver will be up to the attending veterinarian.