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Health department pauses county rabies clinics citing staff costs; board asked to flag access problems
Summary
Davidson County Health Director Lillian Koontz said the department is considering not running county rabies clinics because staff overtime is the primary cost; the county will monitor access and rely on animal shelter vaccine events unless residents report barriers.
During the Health Directors report on June 2, Lillian Koontz said the department has discussed discontinuing county-run rabies clinics due to cost and low participation, and that other counties often promote animal-shelter vaccination events instead.
"The main cost of the clinic is paying our staff to work the clinic. It is overtime for the staff which would be time and a half for the hours they work in the clinic," Koontz said when asked whether vaccine purchase or staffing drives cost. Koontz asked board members to alert the department if residents report difficulty accessing rabies vaccines so the decision can be revisited.
Koontz cited a recent Davidson County Animal Shelter vaccine and microchip event as an example of an alternative access point; Health Promotions Director Janna Walker shared the event on social media. The department characterized the change as a significant cost savings that they will continue to monitor for public-access issues.
