RABIES Vaccine & Rabies Laws

[Kris L. Christine]

WEST VIRGINIA-- new 3 year rabies law went into effect on June 6, 2010.
http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Text_ ... %20ENR.htm

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That §19-20A-2 and §19-20A-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted, all to read as follows:
ARTICLE 20A. VACCINATION OF DOGS AND CATS FOR RABIES.
§19-20A-2. Vaccination of dogs and cats.
(a) A person who owns, obtains or possesses a dog or cat within the State of West Virginia shall have the dog or cat properly vaccinated against rabies with a vaccine capable of producing immunity for three years, boostered one year after initial vaccination and every third year thereafter. Dogs and cats need not be vaccinated before the age of three months, but must be vaccinated by the age of six months.

[Kris L. Christine]

Massachusetts Medical Exemption Bill, SB 784 An Act Relative to Rabies Vaccination for Dogs and Cats http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/ ... t00784.htm, received a "study order" from the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government on 3/9/10. In order for this bill to be reintroduced for passage, the Committee Chairs and the bill sponsors must write a letter to the Rules Committee asking that it be reintroduced.

What You Can Do to Help

Please contact the Legislative Chairs on the Municipalities and Regional Government Committee (contact information below) and the bill sponsor, asking them to request reintroduction of Senate Bill #784 and ask everyone you know in Massachusetts to do the same.

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Members of the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government:
http://www.mass.gov/legis/comm/j10.htm

Senator James Eldridge, Co-Chair James.Eldridge@state.ma.us Phone: (617) 722-1120 Fax: (617) 722-1089
Representative Paul Donato Rep.PaulDonato@hou.state.ma.us Phone: (617) 722-2090 Fax: (617) 722-2848
Senator Steven Panagiotakos Steven.Panagiotakos@state.ma.us Phone: (617) 722-1630 Fax: (617) 722-1001

Letter from Massachusetts veterinarian, Dr. Patricia Jordan

Ref; Massachusetts Medical Exemption Bill, SB 784

Please write a letter to the Rules Committee asking that this SB 784 Rabies Vaccination Bill be reintroduced.

As a licensed professional in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a practicing veterinarian for 26 years, I implore each and every one of you; Senator James Eldridge; Co-Chair, Representative Paul Donato and Senator Steven Panagiotakos to step up for the citizens of Massachusetts.

Rabies vaccination laws as they currently stand are woefully and disturbingly not up to par with the advancement of science. Our own veterinary professional associations and each institute of higher learning veterinary college in these United States are aware that the vaccine intervals are not in keeping with the duration of immunity studies. The rabies vaccines is the most adverse event associated veterinary vaccine as well as the only legally mandated veterinary vaccine and because of this is the focus of another movement, a movement to make a Veterinary Vaccine injury Compensation Act into FEDERAL law. The advocate for this Veterinary Vaccine Injury Compensation Act is one of our leading Veterinary Oncologists, Dr. Dennis Macy.

In 1999 the World Health Organization in the IARC named the veterinary vaccine adjuvant a grade 3 out of 4 with 4 being the most powerful carcinogen. The vaccines are associated with cancer and the AVMA had enacted a Vaccine Associated Sarcoma Task Force that collected data and research that showed cats, dogs and ferrets were all developing cancer from vaccines.

Perdue University has with the studies conducted on vaccinated versus unvaccinated dogs in the Haywood study established the fact that only vaccinated dogs developed auto antibodies and auto antibodies are the precursor to autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases are now the most prolific medical disease we see in both human and animal medicine and the link to the vaccines is no longer a matter of speculation. Even the drug insert from Pfizer about the rabies vaccines puts in print the link of exogenous proteins in the vaccines and the development of autoimmune disease. Because of the breakdown of tumor surveillance, the ingredient mercury and aluminum mutators in the vaccines, the viruses and microbial proteins which lead to autoimmune disease and the shifting of a healthy cell mediated immune system bias to a very unhealthy, chronic inflammatory humoral immune mediated bias, the animals over vaccinated are now a cause of emerging public health issues.
If you do not see to it that the animals are not vaccinated into immune dysregulation and repetitive rabies vaccines that are unsafe and unnecessary are not used to ruin the health of the companion animals then the resulting public health crisis will be on your watch and on your hands.

There are studies completed that already show both dogs and cats having at least 5 years of immunity conveyance from one set of rabies vaccines. Indeed there are no recorded cases of any animals receiving a minimum of the 2 rabies to a mature mammalian immune system to ever developing the rabies disease. In humans, who the AVMA is on record admitting the same mammalian immune system as the canine, at least 14 years of amnestic response to rabies vaccination has been demonstrated.
The colorable laws of rabies must be changed to reflect the scientific knowledge that immunity to viral diseases are in many years, decades and that as Dr. Ron Schultz and Dr. Jean Dodds have reported good for the lifetime of the animals.

More vaccines are not innocuous and are not health promoting but rather health deconstructing now that the association of cancer, autoimmune disease and immune system dys regulation is a matter of record. To not allow the letter of waiver from additional rabies vaccines when a titer can demonstrate an individual’s antibody to rabies virus is sufficient or an animal with any type of immune system impairment, cancer, loss of tumor surveillance ,autoimmune disease,allergies,asthma,atopy,anaphylaxis,ezchema,liver,kidney,heart,neurological disease or inflammatory myopathies, skin disorders, weight loss or any other type of disability like spleen removal or infections is to directly be responsible for the endangerment of not only the death or disability of the companion animal but also to the endangerment of the community and specifically to the public health of the Commonwealth’s citizens. To not act responsibly in seeing that the immune dysregulating vaccines do not continue to be administered is to personally be culpably responsible for the results of this decision.

Our rabies laws are antiquated and do not reflect what we now know about the genetic expression of disease from the vaccines that have been administered.
Dr. Ron Schultz has also established that additional vaccines are more of a menace to processed patients then a reinforcement of immunity. In contrast more is not better, it is disabling to the immune system.

It has been known since 1947 and a matter of scientific study and published papers since 1954 that only one antirabies vaccine administered to a healthy mammalian immune system is sufficient to confer immunity for the lifetime of a mammal. Indeed, humans are now realized to have 92 years of immunity from one small pox vaccine. Titer requirements can be made mandatory after rabies vaccine processing but right now the legislation must be enacted to protect the public health from over vaccinated companion animals with dys regulated immune systems that will weaken the protection of community health.

I am familiar with Joann Camilli and the disservice the Commonwealth of Massachusetts did to her family, to her children and especially to her companion dog “Louie”. For her Louie to be mandated an unsafe and unnecessary rabies vaccine in the face of obvious kidney disease, weight loss and hematuria
(all the hallmark of serum sickness from prior vaccine administration and antibody antigen complex damage to the kidneys) so that the vaccination lead to the immediate further decline and death which occurred in front of the eyes of Mrs. Camilli’s’ young daughter is a reflection of just how barbaric and irrational our culture has become. The treatment that Mrs. Camilli received from her veterinarian during this event also which was very well documented is behavior unbecoming of a veterinary medical professional and constitutes not only poor judgment but a lack of comprehension of every line of our Veterinary Hippocratic Oath from ensuring animal welfare to promotion of public health and keeping up with the advancements in science.

The law should be intelligent and purposeful and not something used against man and beast neither to invoke physical, mental and emotional pain and suffering nor to kill. Enact a rabies vaccination waiver and in the process be a champion for public safety and health .Indeed I would be willing to supply your committee with the scientific papers necessary to document this position and to also provide cases, all from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts which show the current situation in the veterinary practices all across the Commonwealth with the over use of vaccines to unhealthy animals. These cases establish the fact that Malpractice is the Standard of Care and this is why emerging public health issues exist.

Respectfully Submitted,
Dr. Jordan

Update MA Medical Exemption Bill SB 784: 6/29/10 I spoke with a staff person in Senator Eldridge's office this morning, and they said the Senator has been receiving calls requesting that he write the Rules Committee asking that SB 784, the rabies medical exemption bill, be reintroduced for passage and that "It is on his radar." Please continue to call the two Co-Chairs of the the Massachusetts Municipalities and Regional Government Committee asking them to request reintroduction of Senate Bill #784

Senator James Eldridge, Co-Chair James.Eldridge@state.ma.us Phone: (617) 722-1120 Fax: (617) 722-1089
Representative Paul Donato Co-Chair Rep.PaulDonato@hou.state.ma.us Phone: (617) 722-2090 Fax: (617) 722-2848

Below is a copy of the letter I have just sent to the Chairs of Massachusetts' Joint Commitee on Municipalities and Regional Government on behalf of The Rabies Challenge Fund.

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June 30, 2010

Representative Representative Paul Donato, Co-Chair Senator James Eldridge, Co-Chair
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
State House Room 540 State House Room 213-A
Boston, MA 02133 Boston, MA 02133

RE: Massachusetts Rabies Medical Exemption Bill, SB 784

Greetings Representative Donato and Senator Eldrige:

On behalf of The Rabies Challenge Fund Charitable Trust and the many Massachusetts pet owners who have contacted us, we respectfully request that you write the Rules Committee and ask them to reintroduce SB 784, Senator Steven Panagiotakos’ rabies medical exemption bill.

Chapter 140: §145B of the General Laws of Massachusetts implicitly exempts animals from vaccination under some circumstances in the wording “the animal shall be vaccinated against rabies prior to being discharged if the animal's medical condition permits.” However, the law does not explicitly state that a medical waiver exempts an animal from the requirement of being currently immunized against rabies.

The states of Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin all have medical exemption clauses for sick animals in their rabies laws, and a bill is currently pending in the California legislature to include a waiver in its statutes.

The labels on rabies vaccines state that they are for “the vaccination of healthy cats, dogs…,” and there are medical conditions for which vaccination can jeopardize the life or well-being of an animal. Reintroduction and passage of the medical exemption bill, SB 784, clarifying the circumstances under which sick animals could receive exemptions would allow Massachusetts veterinarians to write waivers for animals (such as those who have had anaphylactic reactions to vaccination, or suffer from cancer, kidney/liver failure, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, grand mal seizures, and chronic autoimmune disorders) whose medical conditions would be exacerbated by rabies vaccination. The State of Maine inserted such an exemption into their 3 year rabies protocol, 7 M.R.S.A., Sec. 3922(3), which became effective in April 2005 -- not one rabid dog has been reported in the more than 5 years since that date. Colorado’s data reflect the same -- there have been no rabid dogs reported in the state since passage of their medical exemption in July 2008.

Without a clearly worded medical exemption in Chapter 140: §145B, Massachusetts law imposes an ethical dilemma on veterinarians with seriously ill patients who must either violate their Veterinarian’s Oath and administer a rabies vaccine contrary to the manufacturer’s labeled instructions, or make a recommendation against vaccinating for rabies -- advice which is contrary to the law. Being compelled by law to vaccinate unhealthy animals against rabies also puts veterinarians at risk of being held liable for adverse reactions the animals may suffer, and owners of critically ill animals may decide to not comply with the law rather than jeopardize the lives of their pets by immunizing them.

The Rabies Challenge Fund Charitable Trust urges you to write the Rules Committee requesting that SB 784 be reintroduced for passage. You may contact me at the number below if you would like any scientific data on the rabies vaccine or have any questions.

Sincerely,

Kris L. Christine
Founder, Co-Trustee
THE RABIES CHALLENGE FUND
www.RabiesChallengeFund.org
ledgespring@lincoln.midcoast.com

cc: Dr. W. Jean Dodds
Dr. Ronald Schultz
Senator Steven Panagiotakos

[Kris L. Christine]

CALIFORNIA AB2000 UPDATE: Yesterday, with Saulo Londono and AM Curt Hagman, representatives of all the interested parties from the government agencies and California Veterinary Medical Association, including Dr. W. Jean Dodds from The Rabies Challenge Fund met via telephone conference. Draft amendments to the bill will NOT include quarantine, and I will post an update as soon as that rewording is available. The Senate Health Committee meets today.

[Kris L. Christine]

PENNSYLVANIA: Rabies Medical Exemption Action Alert -- Pennsylvania pet owners have initiated an effort to get a rabies medical exemption clause inserted into the Pennsylvania Rabies Code. Below is a copy of the letter I have faxed to the Pennsylvania State Veterinarian and below that is a copy of Pennsylvania resident Jennifer Shipley's letter.

What You Can Do to Help

Contact your legislator and ask them to file a rabies medical exemption bill on your behalf. You can find your legislators' contact information at this link http://www.legis.state.pa.us/ , and please ask everyone you know who may concerned about this issue to do the same. E-mails for the entire Pennsylvania Assembly are listed at the bottom of this message.

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June 29, 2010

Dr. Craig E. Shultz
State Veterinarian
Department of Agriculture
2301 N. Cameron Street, Room 410
Harrisburg, PA 17110

RE: Medical Exemption Clause for Pennsylvania’s Rabies Prevention and Control Code

Greetings Dr. Shultz:

On behalf of The Rabies Challenge Fund and the Pennsylvania pet owners who have contacted us requesting assistance, we respectfully request that you, in your capacity as State Veterinarian, initiate medical exemption legislation waiving the rabies immunization requirement in Chapter 16, Subchapter C., §16.43 of the Pennsylvania Code for the small number of animals whose veterinarians have determined their medical conditions preclude vaccination.

The states of Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin all have medical exemption clauses for sick animals in their rabies immunization laws, and a bill is currently pending in the California legislature to include a waiver in their statutes.

The labels on rabies vaccines state that they are for “the vaccination of healthy cats, dogs…,” and there are medical conditions for which vaccination can jeopardize the life or well-being of an animal. A medical exemption clause would allow Pennsylvania veterinarians to write waivers for animals whose medical conditions (such as those with cancer, kidney/liver failure, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, grand mal seizures, and chronic autoimmune disorders) would be exacerbated by rabies vaccination. The State of Maine inserted such an exemption into their 3 year rabies protocol, 7 M.R.S.A., Sec. 3922(3), which became effective in April 2005 -- not one rabid dog has been reported in the more than 5 years since that date. Colorado’s data reflect the same -- there have been no rabid dogs reported in the state since passage of their medical exemption clause in July 2008.

Maine’s exemption language is as follows:

A. A letter of exemption from vaccination may be submitted for licensure, if a medical reason exists that precludes the vaccination of the dog. Qualifying letters must be in the form of a written statement, signed by a licensed veterinarian, that includes a description of the dog, and the medical reason that precludes vaccination. If the medical reason is temporary, the letter shall indicate a time of expiration of the exemption.

B. A dog exempted under the provisions of paragraph 5 A, above, shall be considered unvaccinated, for the purposes of 10-144 C.M.R. Ch.251, Section 7(B)(1), (Rules Governing Rabies Management) in the case of said dog’s exposure to a confirmed or suspect rabid animal.

The Rabies Challenge Fund strongly urges you to request legislation be submitted on behalf of the Department of Agriculture amending Chapter 16, Subchapter C., §16.43 of the Pennsylvania Code to include medical exemption language for unhealthy animals for which rabies vaccination would compromise their well-being.

Sincerely,

Kris L. Christine
Founder, Co-Trustee
THE RABIES CHALLENGE FUND
www.RabiesChallengeFund.org
ledgespring@lincoln.midcoast.com

cc: Dr. W. Jean Dodds
Dr. Ronald Schultz
Pennsylvania General Assembly

LETTER from Pennsylvania resident, Jennifer Shipley:

June 28, 2010

Stewart J. Greenleaf
Senate Box 203012
Harrisburg, PA 17120-3012

Dear Senator Greenleaf:

Legislation is needed to provide an exemption from rabies vaccination for pets with existing medical conditions.

My Border Collie, Fever, has idiopathic epilepsy along with other chronic, serious and immune related health conditions. Her veterinarian, Dr. Barrie Barr, DVM of Harmony Animal Health Care Clinic, feels strongly that further rabies vaccinations would potentially pose serious risk to her health. I have a letter written by Dr. Barr to that effect.

In conversation with a friend who lives in New Jersey who owns a dog related to my own with the same medical condition, I learned that her dog’s veterinarian fills out an exemption form annually. The form protects her dog’s life by legally exempting him from rabies vaccination upon examination of a veterinarian who has determined that it would be “medically contraindicated to vaccinate this animal due to an infirmity, other physical condition, or regimen of therapy.” [Attachment “B”]

The manufacturers as well as the USDA state the vaccines should be given to healthy cats and dogs.

My dogs are a cherished and extremely valuable part of my life. Those of us in Pennsylvania who own dogs consider them important member of our families. No dog owner in PA should be forced by our state to risk their dog’s life if a veterinarian has determined that a vaccination would jeopardize their health. Thirteen other states have medical exemption clauses in their rabies laws, would you please introduce legislation on my behalf that would put a medical exemption clause into our state law?

For more detailed information regarding this issue, please see the following additional exhibits:

Attachment C: Specific manufacturer information regarding vaccines
Attachment D: Vaccine reactions and duration of immunity

I have more information available if you need it. I would be more then happy to speak to you via telephone, email or meet with you in person. You’re help in this cause is desperately needed. Thank you for your attention and efforts in advance.

Best regards,

Jen Shipley
jenkshipley@gmail.com

Cc: Hon. Katharine M. Watson, Governor Edward G. Rendell, Chase & Jen Utley



E-Mails for All Members of the Pennsylvania Assembly:

alloway@pasen.gov; dargall@pasen.gov; lbaker@pasen.gov; boscola@pasenate.com; pbrowne@pasen.gov; mbrubaker@pasen.gov; jcorman@pasen.gov; costa@pasenate.com; andy@pasenate.com; andy@pasenate.com; jearll@pasen.gov; jeichelberger@pasen.gov; eerickson@pasen.gov; ferlo@pasenate.com; mfolmer@pasen.gov; fontana@pasenate.com; jgordner@pasen.gov; sgreenleaf@pasen.gov; hughes@pasenate.com; kitchen@pasenate.com; logan@pasenate.com; cmcilhinney@pasen.gov; mellow@pasenate.com; bmensch@pasen.gov; musto@pasenate.com; musto@pasenate.com; opake@pasenate.com; jorie@pasen.gov; jpiccola@pasen.gov; dpileggi@pasen.gov; jpippy@pasen.gov; jrafferty@pasen.gov; jscarnati@pasen.gov; lsmucker@pasen.gov; stack@pasenate.com; stout@pasenate.com; tartaglione@pasenate.com; rtomlinson@pasen.gov; vance@pasen.gov; washington@pasenate.com; mwaugh@pasen.gov; dwhite@pasen.gov; mwhite@pasen.gov; williams@pasenate.com; wozniak@pasenate.com; gyaw@pasen.gov; wadolph@pahousegop.com; mbaker@pahousegop.com; bebarbin@atlanticbb.net; 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msturla@pahouse.net; rtaylor@pahouse.net; cthomas@pahouse.net; gvitali@pahouse.net; cwagner@pahouse.net; jwansacz@pahouse.net; rwaters@pahouse.net; jwheatley@pahouse.net; jwhite@pahouse.net; jwilliams@pahouse.net; ryoungblood@pahouse.net; jyudichak@pahouse.net; mbrooks@pahousegop.com; mcauser@pahousegop.com; jchristiana@pahousegop.com; pclymer@pahousegop.com; jcox@pahousegop.com; tcreighton@pahousegop.com; bcutler@pahousegop.com; gday@pahousegop.com; sdelozier@pahousegop.com; gdenlinger@pahousegop.com; gdigirolamo@pahousegop.com; bellis@pahousegop.com; jevans@pahousegop.com; geverett@pahousegop.com; rfairchild@pahousegop.com; ffrank@pahousegop.com; mfleck@pahousegop.com; wgabig@pahousegop.com; mgabler@pahousegop.com; rgeist@pahousegop.com; kgillespie@pahousegop.com; mgingrich@pahousegop.com; rgodshall@pahousegop.com; ggrell@pahousegop.com; sgrove@pahousegop.com; mhahn@pahousegop.com; jharhart@pahousegop.com; kharper@pahousegop.com; aharris@pahousegop.com; shelm@pahousegop.com; thennessey@pahousegop.com; dhess@pahousegop.com; dhickernell@pahousegop.com; shutchinson@pahousegop.com; rkauffman@pahousegop.com; mkeller@pahousegop.com; tkillion@pahousegop.com; jknowles@pahousegop.com; tkrieger@pahousegop.com; jmaher@pahousegop.com; smajor@pahousegop.com; jmarshall@pahousegop.com; rmarisco@pahousegop.com; dmetcalfe@pahousegop.com; cmetzgar@pahousegop.com; nmiccarelli@pahousegop.com; nmicozzie@pahousegop.com; dmillard@pahousegop.com; rmiller@pahousegop.com; dmilne@pahousegop.com; dmoul@pahousegop.com; tmurt@pahousegop.com; mmustio@pahousegop.com; doberlander@pahousegop.com; dobrien@pahousegop.com; boneill@pahousegop.com; jpayne@pahousegop.com; mpeifer@pahousegop.com; sperry@pahousegop.com; jperzel@pahousegop.com; spetri@pahousegop.com; mphillips@pahousegop.com; tpickett@pahousegop.com; jpyle@pahousegop.com; tquigley@pahousegop.com; mquinn@pahousegop.com; krapp@pahousegop.com; dreed@pahousegop.com; mreese@pahousegop.com; dreichley@pahousegop.com; broae@pahousegop.com; trock@pahousegop.com; srohrer@pahousegop.com; 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[Kris L. Christine]

CALIFORNIA Medical Exemption Bill AB 2000 Senate Health Committee Votes DO PASS 6/30/10 http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_1951-2000/ab_2000_bill_20100701_status.html amended language not available yet, so we are not sure precisely what wording passed.

The bill has been referred to the Committee on Appropriations.



Pennsylvania Medical Exemption UpdateThe Legislative Secretary for Reprepsentative Vulokovich informed me on June 30th that she forwarded my letter to the Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee for review.

[Kris L. Christine]

CA Rabies Medical Exemption Bill AB 2000 -- Senate Appropriations hearing set for 8/2/10 http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_1951-2000/ab_2000_bill_20100714_status.html

Please contact the members of the Appropriations committee below and ask them to fully fund AB 2000

Senator Christine Kehoe (Chair) senator.kehoe@sen.ca.gov Phone: (916) 651-4039 Fax: (916) 327-2188
Senator Elaine Alquist senator.alquist@sen.ca.gov Phone: (916) 651-4013 Fax: (916) 324-0283
Senator Elaine Corbett senator.corbett@sen.ca.gov Phone (916) 651-4010 Fax: (916) 327-2433
Senator Jeff Denham senator.denham@sen.ca.gov Phone (916) 651-4012 Fax: (916) 445-0773
Senator Mark Leno senator.leno@sen.ca.gov (916) 651-4003 Fax: (916) 445-4722
Senator Curren Price senator.curren@sen.ca.gov Phone (916) 651-4026 Fax: (916) 445-8899
Senator Mimi Walters senator.walters@sen.ca.gov Phone (916) 651-4033 Fax: (916) 445-9754
Senator Lois Wolk senator.wolk@sen.ca.gov (916) 651-4005 Fax: (916) 323-2304
Senator Mark Wyland senator.wyland@sen.ca.gov (916) 651-4038 Fax: (916) 446-7382
Senator Leland Yee senator.yee@sen.ca.gov (916) 651-4008

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[Kris L. Christine]

NEW MEXICO: Rabies Medical Exemption Action Alert -- New Mexico pet owners have launched an effort to get a rabies medical exemption clause inserted into the Rabies Code. Below is a copy of the letter I have faxed to the New Mexico State Veterinarian and below that is a copy of New Mexico resident Chryssa Charalambides's letter.

What You Can Do to Help

Contact your legislator and ask them to file a rabies medical exemption bill on your behalf. You can find your legislators' contact information at this link http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/legislatorsearch.aspx , and please ask everyone you know who may concerned about this issue to do the same. E-mails for the entire New Mexico Legislature are listed at the bottom of this message.

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July 23, 2010

Dr. Dave E. Fly, State Veterinarian
New Mexico Livestock Board
300 San Mateo NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109

RE: Rabies Medical Exemption for New Mexico Code Title 7 Chapter 4 Part 2 §7.4.2.8

Greetings Dr. Fly:

New Mexico’s Code requiring rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats, Title 7 Chapter 4 Part 2 §7.4.2.8, does not contain a provision to exempt unhealthy animals whose veterinarians have determined their medical conditions should preclude vaccination.

The states of Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin all have medical exemption clauses for sick animals in their rabies laws, and a bill is currently pending in the California legislature to include a waiver in its statutes.

The labels on rabies vaccines state that they are for “the vaccination of healthy cats, dogs…,” and there are medical conditions for which vaccination can jeopardize the life or well-being of an animal. Passage of a medical exemption clause would allow New Mexico’s veterinarians to write waivers for animals -- such as those who have had anaphylactic reactions to vaccination, or suffer from cancer, kidney/liver failure, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, grand mal seizures, and chronic autoimmune disorders -- whose medical conditions would be exacerbated by rabies vaccination.

The State of Maine inserted the following medical exemption into their 3 year rabies protocol, 7 M.R.S.A., Sec. 3922(3), which became effective in April 2005:

“5 A. A letter of exemption from vaccination may be submitted for licensure, if a medical reason exists that precludes the vaccination of the dog. Qualifying letters must be in the form of a written statement, signed by a licensed veterinarian, that includes a description of the dog, and the medical reason that precludes vaccination. If the medical reason is temporary, the letter shall indicate a time of expiration of the exemption.

B. A dog exempted under the provisions of paragraph 5 A, above, shall be considered unvaccinated, for the purposes of 10-144 C.M.R. Ch.251, Section 7(B)(1), (Rules Governing Rabies Management) in the case of said dog's exposure to a confirmed or suspect rabid animal.”

In the more than 5 years since Maine’s medical exemption went into effect, not one rabid dog has been reported in the state. Colorado’s data reflect the same -- there have been no rabid dogs reported in the state since passage of their medical exemption in July 2008.

Without a provision for medical exemptions in Title 7 Chapter 4 Part 2 §7.4.2.8, New Mexico’s rabies immunization code thrusts an ethical quandary on veterinarians with seriously ill patients -- they must either violate their Veterinarian’s Oath and administer a rabies vaccine contrary to sound medical practice and against the vaccine manufacturer’s labeled instructions, or recommend their clients break the law by not immunizing their unhealthy pets against rabies. Being compelled by law to vaccinate sick dogs and cats against rabies in order for their clients to comply with the code also puts New Mexico’s veterinarians at risk of being held liable for any adverse reactions the animals may suffer after administering a vaccine inconsistently with the labeled directions. Owners of critically ill dogs may choose not to comply with the law rather than jeopardize the lives of their pets and then fail to license their dogs to avoid detection.

On behalf of The Rabies Challenge Fund Charitable Trust and the New Mexico pet owners who have contacted us for assistance, we urge you to initiate legislation to insert a medical exemption clause in Title 7 Chapter 4 Part 2 §7.4.2.8 of the state code. You may contact me at the number below if you would like any scientific data on the rabies vaccine or if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Kris L. Christine
Founder, Co-Trustee
THE RABIES CHALLENGE FUND
www.RabiesChallengeFund.org
ledgespring@lincoln.midcoast.com

cc: Dr. W. Jean Dodds
Dr. Ronald Schultz
New Mexico Legislature
Dr. Tamara Spooner – Executive Director, New Mexico Veterinary Medical Association

New Mexico Legislators http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/legislatorsearch.aspx
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Letter from Chryssa Charalambides

Mark Boitano Representative Gail Chasey
3615 Horacio Court NE 1206 Las Lomas Road NE
Albuquerque, NM 87111 Albuquerque, NM 87106

Dear Senator Boitano and Representative Chasey,
Legislation is needed to provide an exemption from rabies vaccination for pets with existing medical conditions.

My Great Dane, Dalia, has been diagnosed with two autoimmune conditions within the last year and half, vaccine induced Immune Mediated Polyarthritis, diagnosed on 01/11/2009, and Addison’s disease, diagnosed on 11/04/2009. Her veterinarian, Dr. Jennifer Strasser, ACVIM of Veterinary Specialists of NM at the Albuquerque Emergency Clinic, feels strongly that further rabies vaccinations would pose serious risk to her health. I have a letter from Dr. Strasser to that effect.

Dog and cat owners in other states with animals suffering from similar autoimmune conditions can have their veterinarian fill out an annual exemption form. The form protects the animal’s life by legally exempting it from rabies vaccination upon the examination of a veterinarian.

The vaccine manufacturers as well as the USDA state the vaccines should be given only to healthy cats and dogs.

Those of us in New Mexico who own dogs or cats consider them an important member of our families. They are a treasured and extremely important part of our lives. No animal owner in NM should be forced by our state to risk their pet’s life if a veterinarian has determined that a vaccination would put it in jeopardy.

When I contacted the city of Albuquerque Animal Licensing Services, I was informed that medical exemption is possible in the state of New Mexico, if I submit a letter from my veterinarian stating why the pet cannot be vaccinated. Regardless, New Mexico rabies law does not include a medical exemption clause. Would you please introduce legislation on my behalf that would add a medical exemption clause into our existing state rabies law?

I would be more than happy to speak to you via telephone, email or meet with you in person. Your help in this cause is desperately needed. Thank you for your attention and efforts in advance.

Sincerely
Chryssa Charalambides

[Kris L. Christine]

UPDATE: CA Medical Exemption Bill AB 2000 -- On 8/2/10, California's Senate Appropriations Committee decided that the medical exemption bill AB 2000, Molly's Bill, "met the criteria for referral to the Suspense File," meaning that it will cost the state over $150,000 to implement http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bil ... _comm.html .

An Appropriations Committee hearing is scheduled for 8/12/10 to vote yes or no on all the suspense file bills -- a yes vote will send a bill to the Senate floor, a no vote will kill the bill. Saulo Londono from AM Hagman's office told me today that his office has requested that the committee pull AB 2000 from the Suspense File and send it directly to the Senate floor for vote; he expects to hear back within 48 hours whether they will pull the bill or not.

[Kris L. Christine]

MASSACHUSETTS Medical Exemption Bill SB 784 Update: "Neal" from Senator Eldridge's office left a voice mail on 8/6/10 saying that Senator Eldridge is working on trying to get SB 784 recommitted from Committee and is in negotiations with his House counterpart and hopes to have the bill "reported out" by next week or the week after.

For more information, contact Neal from Senator Eldridge's office: 617-722-1120

[Kris L. Christine]

UPDATE 8/13/10 California Medical Exemption AB 2000, "Molly's Bill" -- Saulo Londono from AM Hagman's office just informed me that AB 2000, "Molly's Bill," was NOT voted out of the "Suspense File" at yesterday's Appropriations Committee hearing, which means that the bill will not go to the Senate for a floor vote, which it must do in order to become law. According to Mr. Londono, the Committee Chair's STAFF (Senator Christine Kehoe (Chair) senator.kehoe@sen.ca.gov Phone: (916) 651-4039 Fax: (916) 327-2188) determined that the bill doesn't merit the cost of implementing it. He believes that Senator Kehoe's staff is "playing politics" with this bill, and AM Hagman's office has contacted the Governor's office to see what can be done.

Mr. Londono will get back in touch with me next week to let us know what we dog owners can do.

[Kris L. Christine]

URGENT--California AB 2000 Action Alert "Molly's Bill" -- Please make 3 calls: Monica Wagoner Dept. Health (916) 440-7502, Appropriations Committee (916-651-4101), and Committee Chair Senator Kehoe (916) 651-4039. Tell them to stop playing politics with the lives of California's sick dogs and get this bill to the Senate Floor for passage.

Saulo Londono called from AM Hagman's office with an update. Apparently the problem with this bill lies with the Deputy Director of Legislative & Governmental Affairs in the Department of Health, Monica Wagoner (916) 440-7502, who claims they will need to hire a 1/2 time research scientist for 18 months at the cost of $160,000 to put this bill through the regulatory process. Other states, such as Maine, did not have to hire anyone to process their medical exemption regulations -- it appears that the Health Department is trying to use this bill as an excuse to hire an extra researcher. Monica Wagoner is the same person who wrote a letter to California legislators on June 8th opposing the rabies medical exemption after the mandatory quarantine clause was removed. Please call Monica Wagoner's office and tell her this cost is ridiculous, other states did not take 18 months to process a medical exemption clause into their regulations, and they did not have to hire a research scientist in order to do so.

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[Kris L. Christine]

PENNSYLVANIA Action Alert-- Rabies Medical Exemption SB 1454 http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Leg ... 54&pn=2164 just introduced by Senator Stewart Greenleaf has been referred to the Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee. Please contact the Committee members below and ask them to vote "Ought to Pass."

Senator Mike Brubaker, Chair (717) 787-4420 mbrubaker@pasen.gov
Senator Michael Waugh, Vice-Chair (717) 787-3817 mwaugh@pasen.gov
Senator Michael O'Pake, Minority Chair (717) 787-8925 opake@pasenate.com
Senator Joseph Scarnati (717) 787-7084 jscarnati@pasen.gov
Senator John Eichelberger (717) 787-5490 jeichelberger@pasen.gov
Senator Robert Robbins (717) 787-1322
Senator Elder Vogel (717) 787-3076 evogel@pasen.gov
Senator Gene Yaw (717) 787-3280 gyaw@pasen.gov
Senator Andrew Dinniman (717) 787-5709 andy@pasenate.com
Senator Shirley Kitchen (717) 787-6735 kitchen@pasenate.com
Senator John Wozniak (717) 787-5400 wozniak@pasenate.com

[Kris L. Christine]

UPDATE "Molly's Bill" CALIFORNIA AB 2000 August 28: Saulo Londono from AM Hagman's office called to say that Senate Appropriations Committee Chair, Senator Christine Kehoe (916) 651-4039 "killed" the rabies medical exemption bill, AB 2000 "Molly's Bill" yesterday in committee by aligning all the Democrats on the Committee to vote against it strictly along party lines rather on the merit of the bill. Senator Kehoe's Chief of Staff reportedly told Saulo that this was "all about politics."

Remember this bill unanimously passed an Assembly floor vote (74-0) May 6th, and on July 15th received a unanimous 8-0 "DO PASS" vote from the Senate Health Committee. The Appropriations Committee should respect this strong vote of support from the Legislature and fund this bill. Please direct any and all calls of concern to Senator Kehoe at (916) 651-4039.

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[Kris L. Christine]

UPDATE "Molly's Bill" CALIFORNIA AB 2000 September 9. This bill unanimously passed an Assembly floor vote (74-0) May 6th, and on July 15th received a unanimous 8-0 "DO PASS" vote from the Senate Health Committee http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bil ... story.html . Thus, it was deemed by the California legislature to be medically meritorious and in need of enactment. The bill was then “killed” by Senator Christine Kehoe and the Senate Appropriations Committee based solely on perceived fiscal needs and party line politics during this time of recession.


Should any one residing in California have a dog justifiably in need of medical exemption from rabies booster vaccination, the fact that this bill unanimously passed both houses can be used as a rationale for rabies exemption at the local level.

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