Occupational Risk for Rabies Exposure
Rabies vaccine for preexposure prophylaxis (PreP) in the U.S. is temporarily unavailable for sale by both manufacturers. Additional rabies vaccine is anticipated to become available in July or August 2008. Arrangements have been made to make rabies vaccine (Imovax-Rabies, sanofi pasteur) available on a limited basis for workers at higher risk for rabies exposure (first responders in following order of priority: lab personnel working with rabies, animal control officers, veterinary staff (including students and RVT), and wildlife workers) that cannot delay vaccination until vaccine supplies for PreP become available. Vaccine doses will be prioritized on a case-by-case basis according to rabies exposure risk category and occupation type (see above). Vaccine is not currently available for PreP for travelers and other persons at risk (cavers, etc.) whose activities involving possible exposure to rabies are voluntarily, not critical and could be postponed or avoided. Vaccine is not available for a single booster of persons previously vaccinated with a less than adequate virus neutralizing titer (<1:5) as measured by rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT), with the exception of first responders as outlined above.
Please download the form for workers needing PreP who are at risk for rabies exposure while PreP is temporarily unavailable for general sale. Submit this form to the CDPH Veterinary Public Health Section (ben.sun@cdph.ca.gov, james.glover@cdph.ca.gov, 916-552-9740 phone, 916-552-9725 fax). You will be contacted by sanofi pasteur within a few days to arrange shipping and billing.