RABIES VACCINE
If
you have been bitten by an animal and need wound care, you should
contact your medical provider immediately, then call animal services
at 744-5660 and Environmental Health at 307-8000 ext 5900 and
wait for prompts. You will receive information about what to do.
Never touch, pet, or attempt to feed an unknown animal. A natural
behavior for animals is to bite strangers. Don't be fooled by
the sweet, innocent faces.
Rabies
protection for veternarians and wildlife/zoo employees is available
for a fee. This protection requires 3 vaccine doses over a one
month period and must be "boostered" in 2-5 years.
If you have been bitten by an aminal and rabies vaccine is recommended,
you will be given information from Environmental Health Department
about where to receive this vaccine. It's a series of 5 visits
to the Main Immunization Clinic at 4951 E. Adamo Drive, Tampa.
Information for International Travelers:
Rabies vaccine is not required for travel to any country and
most travelers do not need to receive this vaccine. Those who
will travel to remote areas where transportation is unreliable
and medical care is not easily accessible should consider it.
Those who will be working with animals should also consider the
vaccine pre-exposure series. Most travelers will have plenty of
time to return home or seek treatment at a medical facility for
receiving post-exposure vaccine. If you are not certain about
the need to receive this vaccine, please as call the main health
department immunization clinic (813-307-8077).
Check out the rabies link menu to learn more about rabies.
