More than half of U.S. dog owners expressed concerns about vaccinating their dogs, including against rabies, according to a new study published Saturday in the journal Vaccine. The study comes as anti-vaccine sentiments among humans have exploded in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pets are now often considered to be a member of the family, and their health-care decisions are weighed with the same gravity. But the consequences of not vaccinating animals can be just as dire as humans. Dogs, for example, are responsible for 99% of rabies cases globally. Rabies, which is often transmitted via a bite, is almost always fatal for animals and people once clinical signs appear. A drop in rabies vaccination could constitute a serious public health threat.
In the new study, the authors surveyed 2,200 people and found 53% had some concern about the safety, efficacy or necessity of canine vaccines. Nearly 40% were concerned that vaccines could cause dogs to develop autism, a theory without any scientific merit.
Isn’t there a rabies vaccine for humans? It’s given asap if it’s suspected that you’ve been bitten by an infected animal. It’s generally only given preventatively to people who are at high risk. I don’t know why that is.
Probably because the risks don’t outweigh the rewards.
I’d also like a Lyme vaccine, as long as it’s my turn with the magic wand.
And that tick that makes you allergic to meat. I would very much like a vaccine for that.