Rabies Vaccine in Humans

Rabies Vaccine in Humans

Rabies Vaccine in Humans

Health Lav89 - Rabies Vaccine in Humans. Rabies is a serious disease and is generally fatal. The disease is caused by a virus, is a disease that primarily affects animals. Humans can catch rabies when bitten by an infected animal.

At first, there may not be any symptoms. But a few weeks or months after being bitten, rabies can cause pain, weakness, headache, fever and irritability. These symptoms are followed by seizures, hallucinations, and paralysis.

Animals of rabies transmitters are generally dogs and cats. Wild animals, especially bats, are the most common source of rabies transmission in the United States. Dog bites are not vaccinated is the cause of most of the rabies cases.

Rabies vaccine


Rabies vaccines are given to people at high risk for rabies to protect them when exposed. This vaccine can also prevent rabies when given to someone immediately after exposure. The rabies vaccine is made up of a rabies virus that is switched off. This vaccine does not cause rabies.

Who Should Get Rabies Vaccine?

Vaccination Prevention (no exposure)
  • High-risk people exposed to rabies, such as veterinarians, people working with animals, rabies laboratory workers, cave explorers, and production workers of rabies biological products should be offered for rabies vaccines.
  • Those who are in contact with the rabies virus or with animals that may be infected with rabies
  • Inter-country travelers who may be in contact with animals in the world where rabies is common
  • Children in endemic areas of rabies
The pre-exposure rabies schedule is in 3 doses, administered at the following times:
  • Dose 1: if needed or day one
  • Dose 2: 7 days after dose 1
  • Dose 3: 21 days or 28 days after dose 1
Laboratory workers and others who may be exposed to the rabies virus are repeatedly recommended for periodic immune checks, and booster doses should be given as needed (checks or booster doses are not recommended for travelers). Ask for more details from your doctor.

Vaccines after exposure

Any person bitten by an animal, or otherwise exposed to a rabid virus, must wipe the wound with running water for about 15 minutes and administer disinfectant with soap, detergent, wound, alcohol and visit the doctor as soon as possible. The doctor will determine whether the person needs to be vaccinated.

Persons who are exposed and have not been vaccinated against the rabies virus should be given 4 doses of rabies vaccine-two doses immediately after exposure, and an additional dose on the seventh and 21st days of each dose. They should also get rabies immunoglobulin shots at the same time as the dose of the first rabies vaccine.

People previously vaccinated should be given 2 doses of rabies vaccine. One dose immediately after exposure and the next dose on the third day. Rabies immunoglobulin is not needed.