TN to procure 4.5L vaccine doses for massive anti-rabies immunisation drive

IN light of the increasing reports of dog bites and potential rise in rabies infection, the department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH&VS), in a first, has decided to launch a mass immunisation campaign across the state by procuring 4.5 lakh doses of anti-rabies vaccines (ARV).

- B ANBUSELVAN

While the state vaccinates 2 lakh stray dogs every year, this year the department has urged the union government to source an additional five lakh doses, said official sources.

This apart, the department will provide unique identification tags for all dogs, including strays, to track their health, sterilisation, immunisation schedule, and other details.

This system will be introduced during the 21st quinquennial census for livestock and poultry, scheduled to commence in two to three months, officials told this daily.