Revealing the Truth About Rabies Vaccination
Rabies vaccination is a key measure to protect the health of both animals and humans. Rabies is a fatal disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans, mainly through bites. Therefore, making rabies vaccination compulsory is crucial for the protection of public health.
Anti-rabies vaccination legislation in Greece
The legislation in Greece provides clear guidelines for anti-rabies vaccination, as defined in Regulation (EU) 576/2013 . Annex III of the regulation sets out the requirements for the anti-rabies vaccination of companion animals. According to point 2 of this annex, anti-rabies vaccination must meet the following conditions:
- Validity Requirements for Rabies Vaccination
- Administration by an Authorized Veterinarian: The vaccine must be administered by an authorized veterinarian, ensuring its correct application and compliance with veterinary instructions.
- Age of the Animal: The animal must be at least twelve weeks old at the time of vaccination. This ensures that the animal's immune system is sufficiently developed to respond to the vaccine.
- Record the Date of Administration: The date of administration of the vaccine must be recorded by an authorized or official veterinarian in the appropriate section of the animal identification document.
- Identification Compatibility: The date of vaccination must not precede the date of transponder implantation or tattooing. This ensures correct identification of the animal and valid recording of the vaccination.
- Period of Validity of Vaccination: The period of validity of vaccination starts from the establishment of protective immunity, which must not be less than 21 days from the date of expiry of the vaccination protocol required by the manufacturer for the first vaccination. This period continues until the end of the period of protective immunity, as defined in the technical specifications of the marketing authorization of the vaccine.
- Recording of the Validity Period: The validity period of the vaccine must be stated by an authorized or official veterinarian in the appropriate section of the identification document.
- Revaccination: Revaccination should be considered as the first dose of vaccine if it has not taken place within the validity period of the previous vaccination. This means that if the animal is not vaccinated within the specified period, the process must be started from the beginning.
Conclusion
Adherence to the above instructions and compliance with Regulation (EU) 576/2013 is critical for effective rabies prevention. Animal owners should work with licensed veterinarians and ensure that vaccinations are carried out according to established specifications. In this way, they protect not only their pets, but also the wider community from this dangerous disease.
We answer your questions
- Is rabies vaccination mandatory for dogs and cats? Yes, anti-rabies vaccination is mandatory for dogs and cats according to current Community and National legislation.
- When should the microchip be implanted ? The microchip must be implanted before or at the time of the first vaccination.
- At what age should I have the first vaccination? The first anti-rabies vaccination must be given when the animal is at least 12 weeks old.
- Is the rabies vaccination mandatory every year? NO. The frequency of rabies vaccination depends on the vaccine manufacturer's instructions and local health requirements. It is usually repeated every 1 to 3 years.
