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Rabies vaccinations are required of all students. If you have not already
taken the pre-exposure series, you must take it upon entering the School of
Veterinary Medicine.
What You Should Know About the Rabies Vaccine
- Vaccination against rabies is
mandatory for students and for many employees of the
SVM. Taking the vaccine should be given priority over
other activities. Dates for the
2007 vaccination sessions at the SVM are August
22, August 29, and September 12. These are the only
dates this year that you can receive the vaccine here
at the SVM.
- If you are a new student or
employee and miss taking the series here during the
scheduled sessions, you will have to go to the Student
Health Center on campus to receive the doses. See me
to make arrangements before going.
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis consists of a 3-dose series and the timing of
these doses is critical for development of immunity. This means you must take
EACH dose when it is scheduled. In emergency situations, we can make
arrangements for you to take the vaccine at the Student Health Center if no
more than a day or two has passed. If you become ill during the series,
contact Dr. Honigman at the SHC (225-578-6271) for advice. If you miss a dose you will have to retake the entire
series, either next year at the SVM if you are a first-year student
this year, or from
your own physician if you will be seeing animals before next fall.
- The total cost for the three-dose series
is $426.
Please be
prepared to pay by check (only) when you take the first dose. Make checks
payable to “LSU SVM.”
- The money you pay is used to buy the vaccine. We cannot give refunds if
you do not take the three doses we have purchased for you.
- If you are now taking corticosteroids, if you have had any of these drugs
in the last few weeks, or if you have an immunosuppressive illness, the rabies
vaccine may not produce active immunity. If you are in this situation, check
with me so special arrangements can be made.
- Serious reactions to this vaccine are very rare, but as with all vaccines,
the medical personnel don’t take any chances. Therefore, you will be required
to wait in the room for 30 minutes following each injection. Take this into
consideration when making your plans.
- Mild side effects, however, are fairly common. These are similar to those
that are experienced with many vaccines and are NOT a reason to discontinue
taking the series. Do not be surprised if your arm is sore, reddened, or
swollen at the injection site. You may also experience headache, muscle aches,
or feel as if you are coming down with the flu. Again, these reactions are NOT
considered reason for discontinuing the series. The discomfort generally lasts
less than 24 hours and can usually be managed with acetaminophen (Tylenol) or
ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin).
- Routine booster doses are seldom considered necessary. Check with me if
you have already had the series and wonder if you need a booster.
- The benefits of the pre-exposure vaccine series far outweigh the risks and
inconvenience. If you are ever exposed to rabies—and it is an occupational
risk for veterinarians and veterinary students—the post-exposure regimen will
be much more expensive and unpleasant if you have not taken the pre-exposure
series.
Kathleen Harrington, Rabies Vaccination Coordinator
Room 3118, SVM
225-578-9663
kharrington@vetmed.lsu.edu
Download a pdf file of the vaccine
information sheet and consent form.
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