Pet owners asked to have pets vaccinated

By April 10, 2018Headlines, News

HUMAN ANTI-RABIES VACCINE SHORTAGE

LINGAYEN—In view of worldwide shortage of human anti-rabies vaccine in the country, there are two things that people can do to help the situation: Avoid being exposed to and bitten by unvaccinated dogs, cats and, monkeys, and for pet owners to have their animal pets vaccinated immediately.

This was the advice of Dr. Ma. Anna Teresa de Guzman, provincial health officer, as she confirmed the worldwide shortage of the human anti-rabies vaccine to be administered to persons bitten by dogs, cats and monkeys.

She pointed out, that while there is a shortage of human anti-rabies vaccine, there is ample supply of anti-rabies vaccine for animals that pet owners should avail of to cushion the impact of the shortage of human anti-rabies vaccine.

She said a bite from vaccinated animals will not put a person’s life at risk so she asked pet owners to help the situation by submitting their pets for vaccination.

The anti-rabies vaccine for animals is being administered free by any municipal/city veterinary offices and at the provincial veterinary office.

In her interview by The PUNCH, last April 5, she said her office had requested Gov. Amado Espino III for a special fund with which to purchase the vaccines.

“Gov. Pogi immediately responded but the problem is we cannot access any source in the market,” De Guzman said.  “We are now looking for suppliers who can sell this vaccine to us,” she added.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III had already admitted earlier that the Department of Health (DOH) itself has difficulty locating the supply which it needs for the country.

De Guzman said the province bought P2-million worth of human anti-rabies vaccine last year to augment the supply provided by DOH but these have already been used. (Leonardo Micua)

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