Human rabies vaccine: when to take, doses and side effects

The human rabies vaccine is indicated for the prevention of rabies in children and adults, and can be administered before and after exposure to the virus, which is transmitted through the bite of a dog or other infected animals.

Rabies is a disease that affects the central nervous system, leading to inflammation of the brain and usually leads to death, if the disease is not properly treated. This disease can be cured if the person seeks medical help as soon as it is bitten, in order to clean and disinfect the wound, receive the vaccine, and if necessary, also take immunoglobulins.

What is it for

The rabies vaccine serves to prevent rabies in humans before or after exposure to the virus. Rabies is an animal disease that can affect humans, and causes inflammation of the brain, which usually leads to death. Learn how to identify human rabies.

The vaccine acts by stimulating the body to produce its own protection against the disease, and can be used to prevent rabies before exposure, indicated for people exposed to a frequent risk of contamination, such as veterinarians or people who work in the laboratory with the virus, for example, as well as in prevention after suspected or confirmed exposure to the virus, transmitted by bites or scratches from infected animals.

When to get the vaccine

This vaccine can be taken before or after exposure to the virus:

Preventive vaccination:

This vaccination is indicated for the prevention of rabies before exposure to the virus, and should be administered to people who are at high risk of contamination or who are at permanent risk, such as:

• People working in a laboratory for the diagnosis, research or production of rabies viruses; Veterinarians and assistants; Animal keepers; Hunters and forest workers; Farmers; Professionals who prepare animals for exposure; Professionals who study natural cavities, such as caves for example.

In addition, people traveling to high-risk places should also get this vaccine.

Vaccination after exposure to the virus:

Post-exposure vaccination should be started immediately at the lowest risk of rabies virus contamination, under medical supervision, at a specialized rabies treatment center. In addition, it is very important to treat the wound locally, and if necessary, take immunoglobulins.

How many doses to take

The vaccine is administered by a health professional intramuscularly and the vaccination schedule must be adapted according to the person's anti-rabies immune status.

In the case of pre-exposure, the vaccination schedule consists of 3 doses of the vaccine, in which the second dose must be administered 7 days after the first dose, and the last 3 weeks later. In addition, it is necessary to do a booster every 6 months for people who handle the live rabies virus, and every 12 months for people at continuous risk of exposure. For people not at risk, the booster is done 12 months after the first dose, and then every 3 years thereafter.

In post-exposure treatment, the dosage depends on the person's immunization, so for those who are fully immunized, the dosage is as follows:

• Vaccination less than 1 year: giving 1 injection after the bite; Vaccination over 1 year and less than 3 years: giving 3 injections, 1 immediately after the bite, another one on the 3rd and 7th day; Vaccination with more than 3 years or incomplete: administer 5 doses of the vaccine, 1 immediately after the bite, and the following after the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 30th days.

In non-immunized persons, 5 doses of the vaccine should be administered, one on the day of the bite, and the following on the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 30th days. In addition, if the injury is severe, anti-rabies immunoglobulins should be administered together with the 1st dose of the vaccine.

Possible side effects

Although rare, adverse effects such as pain at the application site, fever, malaise, pain in the muscles and joints, swelling in the lymph nodes, redness, itching, bruising, tiredness, flu-like symptoms, headache, dizziness, drowsiness may occur., chills, abdominal pain and feeling sick.

Less frequently, severe allergic reactions, acute brain inflammation, seizures, sudden hearing loss, diarrhea, hives, shortness of breath and vomiting may occur.

Who should not use this medication

In cases where a pre-exposure vaccination is intended, it is not advisable to do this in pregnant women, or in people who have a fever or acute illness, and the vaccination should be postponed. In addition, it should also not be used in people with a known allergy to any of the components of the vaccine.

In cases where exposure to the virus has already occurred, there is no contraindication, since the evolution of infection by the rabies virus, if left untreated, usually leads to death.