Rabies is a serious disease caused by a virus. Rabies is mainly a disease of animals. Humans get rabies when they are bitten by infected animals. Wild animals and mammals can also transmit the disease, for example dogs, cats. At first there might not be any symptoms. But by one week, or even a month after a bite, rabies can cause fever, fatigue, and irritability, then followed by seizures, hallucinations, and paralysis. Human rabies is almost always fatal.
Who should get rabies vaccine and when?
1. Preventive Vaccination (No Exposure)
- People at high risk of exposure to rabies, such as veterinarians, animal handlers, rabies laboratory workers.
- The vaccine should also be considered for: people whose activities bring them into frequent contact with rabies virus, international travelers who are likely to come in contact with animals in the country where rabies is common.
- The pre-exposure schedule for rabies vaccination is 3 doses, given intramuscularly or intradermally at the following times:
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Dose 1
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Dose 2
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Dose 3
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As appropriate
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7 days after Dose 1
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21-28 days after Dose 1
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2. Vaccination after an Exposure
Clean the wound with soap and water and see a doctor immediately. The doctor will determine if they need to be vaccinated.
- A person who is exposed and has never been vaccinated against rabies should get 4 doses of rabies vaccine given intramuscularly or get 3 doses intradermally. They should also get another shot called Rabies Immune Globulin at the same time as the first dose.
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Injection
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Dose 1
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Dose 2
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Dose 3
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เข็มที่ 4
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Intramuscular
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right away
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3 days after Dose 1
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7 days after Dose 1
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14-28 days after Dose 1
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Intradermal
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right away
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3 days after Dose 1
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7 days after Dose 1
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-
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Depending on the doctor’s consideration, the patients may be administered intramuscularly rabies vaccine for 5 doses on days 0, 3, 7, 14, 28 or intradermal injection for 4 doses on days 0, 3, 7, 28.
- A person who has been previously vaccinated with preventive vaccine or already got a completed vaccination after an exposure and got exposure to rabies again. They should get 1-2 doses of intramuscular or intradermal rabies vaccine. Rabies Immune Globulin is not needed.
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Time after last dose of
vaccinations until new event of exposure
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Dose 1
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เข็มที่ 2
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Within 6 months
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right away
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-
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More than 6 months
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right away
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3 days after Dose 1
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If delayed or interrupted scheduling of vaccination, please consult with your physician for suitable recommendations.
Special Precaution: Talk with a doctor before getting rabies vaccine if you:
- Ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a previous dose of rabies vaccine, or to any vaccine component
- Have a weakened immune system for example: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), cancer, or treatment with steroids.
What are undesirable effects from rabies vaccine?
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Severity
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อาการไม่พึงประสงค์
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Mild (common)
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Soreness, redness, swelling, or itching where the shot was given, headache, nausea, abdominal pain.
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Moderate
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Hives, pain in the joints, fever (about 6% of booster doses).
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Severe reaction (rare)
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High fever, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat. These would start a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination. Call a doctor, or get the person to a doctor right away
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Drug Interactions
Some drugs may diminish the therapeutic effect of vaccines (Inactivated) such as Belimumab, Fingolimod, and immunosuppressants.
Reference
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Last modify: March 13, 2025