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Health Professionals Update – Vol. 18, No. 12

May 20, 2025

From: 
Nicholas Brandon, MD, MA, MSc, CCFP, FRCPC
Associate Medical Officer of Health

In this issue:

  • Update: Critically low stock of rabies vaccine now stabilizing

Key messages:

  • Rabies vaccine stock for post-exposure prophylaxis is stabilizing within the province.
  • Peel Public Health will be returning to delivering all vaccine doses at one time for the entire series (except in extenuating circumstances).
  • Prior to requesting rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), physicians must contact Peel Public Health to discuss risk assessments and to determine if PEP is warranted.
  • Physicians can contact Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700.  A Public Health Inspector is available 24/7 to receive reports of potential animal exposures. An Associate Medical Officer of Health is also available for consultations, if required. 

Update: Critically low stock of rabies vaccine now stabilizing

Peel Public Health was notified in January 2025 that there was a critically low stock of rabies vaccine within the province. This stock of vaccine is now starting to stabilize and Peel Public Health can move back to delivering the full course of vaccine for post-exposure prophylaxis in a single delivery. Vaccine stock will continue to be monitored. 

Rabies is a disease of public health significance (O. Reg 135). Rabies is a virus transmitted through the saliva of infected mammals by bites, scratches or contact with mucus membranes (e.g., mouth, nose, eyes). Rabies post-exposure vaccine consists of 4 doses (Days 0, 3, 7, and 14).  If warranted, rabies immunoglobulin is also administered on Day 0.  

NOTE: All animal exposures/bites which can transmit rabies must be reported to the patient’s local public health unit as required under the Health Protection and Promotion Act and Ontario Regulation 557.  Physicians can contact Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700. Public Health will do a risk assessment and help determine whether post-exposure prophylaxis is warranted. Exposures to domestic pets such as cats, dogs, and ferrets, may not be considered high-risk and may not warrant rabies vaccine; especially if the animal can be isolated for observation over a 10-day period.

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The Health Professionals Update (HPU) is distributed to physician offices in Peel region via fax or email. Share this update with other health professionals in your clinic. 

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