Elicia Bernard

I am writing in support of recognizing rabies antibody titer testing as a valid tool in canine rabies vaccination policy. Rabies is a serious disease, and I fully support the importance of protecting both public health and animal health. However, current one-size-fits-all booster requirements do not always reflect modern scientific understanding of immunity. Rabies titer testing provides a science-based method to confirm whether a dog already has adequate protective antibodies following vaccination. Many dogs maintain protective immunity well beyond the standard booster interval. For these animals, automatic revaccination may provide no additional medical benefit while still exposing them to potential harmful vaccine reactions. Responsible policy should aim to minimize unnecessary medical interventions whenever possible. Rabies titer testing offers several important benefits: • Science-driven decision making based on measurable immunity. • Improved individualized care for dogs with medical conditions or prior vaccine reactions • Reduced risk of over-vaccination while maintaining public safety. • Support for veterinarians’ clinical judgment in managing patient health It is important to emphasize that supporting titer testing is not anti-vaccine. Rather, it is a pro-science, pro-public health approach that uses modern immunology to guide appropriate care. Dogs that do not demonstrate adequate titers would still be revaccinated, ensuring community protection remains strong. By modernizing our approach, we can maintain robust rabies protection while also promoting individualized, evidence-based veterinary care. Thank you for your time and consideration. Elicia Bernard