• THE VACCINE

  • A rabies pre-exposure vaccine is available in the U.S. through local / state / federal health agencies, private infectious disease clinics, or regional hospitals that have ‘international travel’ departments.



• WHO SHOULD RECEIVE RABIES VACCINE?

  • Candidates for this important vaccine include:
  • Persons expecting to travel to those countries where rabies is endemic
  • High risk groups including:
  • Veterinarians and/or their staff
  • Veterinary students
  • Employees working in animal hospitals
  • Wildlife workers (animal control handlers, parks or animal exhibit workers, and disaster control workers involved with animals)
  • Research or diagnostic laboratory personnel working with rabies virus
  • Outdoor adventurers, especially spelunkers



• WHERE CAN I RECEIVE/OBTAIN RABIES VACCINE?

  • Rabies Vaccine is available in the US through:
  • Local/State/Federal Health Agencies
  • Private Infectious Disease Clinics
  • Regional Hospitals with 'International Travel' Departments

• MONITORING YOUR IMMUNE STATUS

  • Once the pre-exposure vaccine series or booster is administered, individuals may routinely submit a blood sample for serologic testing – specifically:
  • The Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test (RFFIT), CPT Code 86382
  This viral neutralizing antibody test determines the presence of rabies antibody, and whether this antibody is functioning properly. (i.e. the antibody complexes with live rabies virus, and clears it so that further infection is neutralized.) The RFFIT is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Advisory Committee on Immunication Practices (ACIP) and The World Health Organization (WHO). Other tests are not appropriate for rabies antibody determination.



• WHAT DO THE RESULTS MEAN?

  • <0.5 IU/mL - Indicates need for booster dose of vaccine
  • > or = 0.5 IU/mL - Positive response to rabies vaccination
  Atlanta Health Associates, Inc., does not perform diagnostic serology without coordination with Local/Federal Health Authorities

• HOW OFTEN SHOULD I BE TESTED

  • A sample may be submitted for testing 14-21 days after the initial series has been completed, or after receiving a booster injection, but is generally not necessary.
  • A sample may be submitted for evaluation periodically depending on your risk level. For a guide of populations at risk, click here.



• HOW SHOULD I PACKAGE MY SERUM SPECIMEN(S)?

  • Decant serum from serum separator tube into a plastic tube and label appropriately.
  • Check with your chosen shipping carrier to determine their requirements for packaging and labeling biohazardous substances. Each carrier has different requirements.
  • The following are always good practices to use when shipping diagnostic specimens:
  • A primary container that contains specimen, such as a zip lock bag. One specimen per bag.
  • A secondary container that contains the primary containers and packaging capable of absorbing the specimen if a leak occurs.
  • An outer rigid container that contains the secondary container, cushioning material and paper work
  • What if a RFFIT serology request form is not available?
  • Please provide the name and any relevant vaccination history for each specimen submitted as well as the name and address of the person to whom the results should be sent.

For additional information on Rabies, visit the CDC Q&A website.