Health
Rabies vaccine in short supply
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Sept. 15, 2008
Unexpected demand combined with manufacturing issues means the rabies vaccine is in short supply, and physicians will need to take additional steps before obtaining doses, according to a statement sent out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the Health Alert Network.
The vaccine may be ordered after conferring with public health officials and getting a confirmation code. Priority for pre-exposure prophylaxis will be given to those most likely to encounter the infection on the job.
In order to reduce demand, state public health officials also are working to raise awareness of ways to cut the chance of infection by avoiding wild animals and having house pets vaccinated.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/09/15/hlbf0915.htm.