States and counties set the age required to get the Rabies vaccine according to the number of reported cases in that specific area. Where Rabies occurs more frequently, the age of Rabies vaccination is younger than areas that have lesser number of reported cases.
The reason the Rabies Vaccine is required by law, is the fact that it is a zoonotic disease. This means that humans can also become infected, and because it is deadly if left untreated.
A person or a pet does not have to come in direct contact with a Rabid animal in order to contract the disease. It is spread through bodily fluids, when these fluids get into a wound or a scratch, the person or pet can become infected with the disease.
So if a rabid squirrel picks up a nut in your lawn, then drops it and runs off, then you let your dog out in the yard, and he finds this nut and licks it, he may come down with Rabies. Or if he rolls on the nut while the squirrel's saliva is still wet, and he comes up to you and you pick him up and pet him and happen to come in contact with the saliva, then you rub your eye, or nose or mouth with your hand, you could become infected. |