From staff reports
The Daily News
05/03/03

LA MARQUE — Health district leaders are looking into guidelines on how often pet owners must have their pets vaccinated for rabies.

The state this year relaxed its rules, from once every year to once every three years. Local communities are allowed to have more restrictive rules, and Galveston County still requires annual vaccinations.

Last month, the county United Board of Health — the district’s executive body — asked an advisory committee to study to pros and cons of the three-year schedule.

“Many veterinarians are currently using a three-year vaccine, but administering it on an annual basis,” said Marty Entringer, director of district’s environmental and consumer health department.

Some experts believe this over-immunization could be harmful to pets. But others believe that owners will not have their pets examined annually if they are only required to bring them in every three years for a rabies vaccination.

Dr. Carlos Zamora, a board member who is a veterinarian, will work with the committee as it develops a recommendation.

Public comments will be accepted before any change is made, officials said. No cases of rabies have been reported in the domestic animal population of Galveston County since the early 1980s.

read the press release

For More Information contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston County Health District
(409) 938-2211
kkoopman@gchd.org