Statement From Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council President And CEO Mike Bober On The Use Of Pet Vaccinations In Promoting Animal Health And Protecting Human Health
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 9, 2019
Statement from Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council President and CEO Mike Bober on the Use of Pet Vaccinations in Promoting Animal Health and Protecting Human Health
“The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council joins the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV), North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) and World Health Organization (WHO) in supporting the judicious use of vaccines in pets in order to protect both animals and humans from disease and death.
According to the AVMA, the development and use of vaccines within the last century has prevented death and disease in millions of pet animals, while also protecting human health. The World Health Organization estimates that only one to two people die each year from rabies in the United States because of successful rabies prevention programs, while approximately 59,000 people worldwide die from this preventable viral disease.
Pet owners should work closely with their veterinarian to determine an effective and safe vaccination program that takes into consideration their pet’s age, lifestyle, geographic location and any other risk factors. Antibody titers do not replace vaccination programs, but – for some diseases – may help your veterinarian determine whether your pet has a reasonable expectation of protection. Pet owners should be aware that, within the United States, a positive test for rabies virus neutralizing antibody (RVNA) is not recognized as an indication of protective immunity.
While pet owners may have concerns about over-vaccinating or side effects, the AVMA advises that serious adverse reactions are rare and outweighed by the disease protection benefits of vaccination. It is also important to know that no reliable scientific evidence exists to indicate autism spectrum disorder exists in dogs.”
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About PIJAC Since 1970, the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) has protected pets, pet owners and the pet industry – promoting animal well-being and responsible pet ownership, fostering environmental stewardship, and ensuring the availability of healthy pets. PIJAC members include retailers, companion animal suppliers, manufacturers, wholesale distributors, manufacturers’ representatives, pet hobbyists, and other trade organizations.