LAY VACCINATOR TRAINING

We will be learning… About the rabies vaccine How to give rabies vaccinations

ABOUT THE RABIES VACCINE

1.The vaccine is a killed virus it cannot cause rabies in an animal, including man

2.Store vaccine in the clinic refrigerator The vaccine can go without refrigeration for ONE DAY ONLY without being damaged

3.If you have partially used a bottle, it will only remain good for up to one day If it is not used by that time, then it should be disposed of in a sharps container

4.If the vaccine freezes it is no longer any good It is no good even after it thaws out! Contact your Environmental Health Specialist to get more vaccine

5.Empty syringes and vaccine bottles should be put in a sharps container Sharps containers are located at the clinic

Summary: About the rabies vaccine 1.Vaccine cannot cause rabies 2.Store in clinic refrigerator 3.Open bottles are good for up to one day 4.Vaccine is no longer useable if it freezes 5.Discard partially used bottles of vaccine and needles in sharps container

HOW TO GIVE SHOTS

1.Remove the syringe from its case and uncap the needle Do not touch the needle or allow it to touch anything

2. With one hand, hold the bottle of vaccine upside down With the other hand, insert the needle through the rubber top

3.Withdraw the syringe plunger until the syringe contains slightly over 1.0 cc of vaccine About 1.3 cc is perfect

4.While in the bottle and pointing upwards, tap the syringe with your finger and push in the plunger until 1.00 cc remains Tapping the syringe will dislodge air bubbles

5.Withdraw the needle from the vaccine bottle and set the vaccine bottle down When it is very cold outside, carry the vaccine bottles in the inside pocket of your parka next to your body to prevent it from freezing

6.Have a partner hold the animal The owner, a veterinarian, or environmental health specialist

7.Have your partner hold the animal’s head still Do not squeeze the animal’s head too tight Never try to hold a dog’s mouth shut (it cannot breathe if pressure is applied to the top of it’s snout)

8.Take a friendly approach The shot does not hurt the animal, but most animals are uneasy during the vaccination Pet the animal and talk to it to distract it

9.Insert the needle subcutaneously (in the skin) Approach the animal from the side Grab the scruff of the neck Stick the needle into the loose skin

10.Push the plunger in Push the plunger in all the way, inserting 1.0 cc of vaccine into the animal’s skin

11.Make sure the needle does not protrude out through the skin This helps avoid a needle skin and insures all of the vaccine was inserted into the animals skin Be careful not to insert the needle in such a way that you stick the animal’s spine

12.Put the rabies tag on the animal’s collar The rabies vaccination number is written on each tag This number is important for tracking purposes in the even of a human exposure If the animal does not have a collar, give the rabies tag to it’s owner

Summary: How to give shots 1.Be careful with the needle 2.Insert the needle into the vaccine bottle 3.Withdraw about 1.3 cc of vaccine 4.Push the plunger until 1.0 cc of vaccine remains 5.Withdraw the needle

Summary: How to give shots 6.Have a partner hold the animal 7.Have a partner secure the animal’s head 8.Be friendly to the animal 9.Insert needles subcutaneously 10.Push the plunger all the way in 11.Be sure the needle isn’t protruding through the skin 12.Put the rabies tag on the animal’s collar