Rabies Vaccination Policy
The veterinary technology program requires that students are vaccinated for rabies with the human-approved rabies prophylaxis vaccination before handling live animals. The vaccination is to be performed either through a personal physician or the student’s state health department at the sole expense of the individual student. In some cases, insurance may cover part or all of the expense; it is highly encouraged to explore individual coverage for the rabies vaccination. Students will need to provide proof of immunization prior to handling live animals. Failure to obtain this vaccination will result in an inability to enroll in clinical externship courses (VTN 2998, VTN 3998 and VTN 4998).
The rabies prophylaxis vaccination is composed of a series of two vaccinations, Day Zero and Day Seven. It is strongly advised for students to complete the rabies prophylaxis vaccination series prior to the start of the VTN Program and is required prior to the start of clinical externship courses. Proof of vaccination will be required prior to handling live animals in clinical externship courses (VTN 2998, VTN 3998 and VTN 4998). If a student has already received the pre-exposure rabies vaccine, an official lab report showing immunity by positive blood titer for rabies antibodies within the previous three (3) years must be provided.
Per CDC guidelines, individuals who received the 2-dose vaccination series require a titer check between one (1) and three (3) years following the first 2-dose vaccination. Currently, CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) guidelines recommend individuals in high-risk professions, such as veterinary technicians, obtain a titer check every two (2) years to determine and maintain efficacy. Without vaccination, an individual is at risk of contracting the rabies virus infection, which is a fatal disease.
Please visit this CDC web page as part of this information policy document: cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/rabies.html.
Students requesting a waiver of the rabies requirement for medical or religious reasons should contact the Office of Access and Equity.
A student who declines the pre-exposure rabies vaccine or is unable to complete the vaccine series requirements and has not been granted a waiver will be able to progress through the program, but will not be able to enroll in clinical externship courses.
A minimum of 240 cumulative contact hours of practical veterinary experience is a requirement for graduation from an AVMA CVTEA accredited Veterinary Technology program.
AVMA CVTEA Rabies Policy
The AVMA CVTEA requires compliance with the following standard to decrease the potential of human exposure to the Rabies virus:
Safety of students, program personnel, and animals must be of prime consideration. Students must be educated on rabies risk prior to working with animals. Prior to live animal use, students must be vaccinated against rabies.