Appalachian District Health Department

Policy and Procedure Policy Name Clinical Protocols and Procedures Policy Topic Request for State Rabies Vaccine

Section 500

Approved Date: 8-2-12

Chapter 516

Revised Date:

Purpose: To provide procedures for screening patients for eligibility for state rabies vaccine and how to acquire rabies vaccine from the State. Policy: Any person who has had a verified rabies exposure or potential rabies exposure and who meet eligibility requirements may receive free rabies immunoglobulin and rabies vaccine at the Appalachian District Health Department. Procedure: 1. The Communicable Disease Nurse will determine rabies risk and exposure to any person with the assistance of the state Communicable Disease Branch. 2. If the Communicable Disease Nurse has determined that an exposure has occurred, the patient may present to the county health department for screening eligibility to receive state-provided Rabies IG and Rabies vaccine. 3. Obtain the persons weight to be able to calculate the IG dose. 4. In accordance with 15A NCAC .0006 rabies vaccine may be provided without charge for an individual who meets ALL of the following criteria: The individual’s family income is at or below the federal poverty level in effect on July 1 of each fiscal year as determined by the local health department b. The individual meets the residency and other requirements set forth in 15A NCAC 24A .0200, except that the individual shall not be eligible for Medicaid or health insurance reimbursement for rabies post-exposure treatment as determined by the local health department; and c. The treatment is recommended by a physician licensed to practice medicine. a.

5. All screening eligibility documentation and clinical documentation will be maintained in a patient chart. 6. The Request for Free Rabies Vaccine form will be completed by a notary public if the person meets all the eligibility requirements. The form can be found in the North Carolina Manual for Rabies Prevention and Animal bite Management. 1|Clinical Protocols and Procedures – Request for State Rabies Vaccine

Appalachian District Health Department

Policy and Procedure Policy Name Clinical Protocols and Procedures Policy Topic Request for State Rabies Vaccine

Section 500

Approved Date: 8-2-12

Chapter 516

Revised Date:

7. The Communicable Disease Nurse may sign the Request for Free Rabies Vaccine form for the Appalachian District Health Director if the health director and the attending physician are unavailable to sign the form. 8. Notify the North Carolina State Veterinarian on call by calling the Communicable Disease Branch that the person meets eligibility criteria for state rabies IG and vaccine. 9. When the local health department receives the shipment of IG and vaccine, staple the original Affidavit (Request for Free Rabies Vaccine form) to the bill and send back to the North Carolina State Lab of Public Health. 10. A copy of the Request for Free Rabies Vaccine form will be maintained in the patient’s chart.

2|Clinical Protocols and Procedures – Request for State Rabies Vaccine