Tiruchi Corporation has decided to launch a special vaccination drive to administer booster shots of anti-rabies vaccine to stray dogs in the city.

A total of 5,000 dogs are set to be administered with the booster doses in the first of the four phased special drive. The number of dogs getting the booster shots would be increased as per the availability and supply of vaccines, said M. Vijay Chandran, City Health Officer. The special drive is set to begin on Friday.

An anti-rabies vaccine booster dose, or a follow-up dose, is given to an inoculated stray dog which might have come in contact with other stray dogs that carry the viral disease. This could have taken place through bites from infected animals or coming in contact with such animals at a common feeding point.

The Corporation officials are planning to administer the booster shots to 22,030 dogs that have been sterilized and vaccinated post-operation.

Stray dogs in an area would be entrapped with the aid of a butterfly net by Corporation dog catchers, administered with an anti-rabies vaccine booster shot, and have their ears marked with paint indicating that it has been vaccinated.

“By administering the booster doses in stray dogs, incidence of rabies can be reduced,” said Mr. Chandran.

He stressed on the importance of awareness among residents. “Residents need to be careful when feeding stray dogs as there are chances that stray dogs could potentially carry the rabies virus. A simple lick or a minor scratch received from an unvaccinated dog or cat should not be ignored. Those affected should get an anti-rabies vaccine at the earliest to prevent contracting rabies,” said the City Health Officer.