Rabies vaccinations: vital protection before they go.
Rabies is vaccine preventable
There are two situations where rabies vaccination is used:
Rabies is vaccine preventable
There are two situations where rabies vaccination is used:
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) – Vaccination before potential exposure to the virus
- This helps simplify management following a rabies exposure
Learn about recommended PrEP dosing schedules
- Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) – Protocol to stop the onset of rabies after exposure to the virus
- Involves injection of rabies vaccine (PEP) and rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) into the wound
- If PrEP was administered, only PEP is required, but not RIG
Find out more about recommended PEP regimens
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
Who should be vaccinated?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends consideration of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for those living in or travelling to remote areas with a high risk of rabies exposure and limited access to medical care.
Risk factors for rabies exposure include:
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Travellers to South East Asia, India and North Africa
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Individuals of a young age
Travelling for tourism
Why recommend PrEP?
Although PrEP does not eliminate the need for medical care following possible rabies exposure, PrEP:
- Ensures protection through the presence of anti-rabies antibodies in the weeks following vaccination, which are rapidly boosted by PEP after exposure
- Eliminates the need for rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) (which may not be readily available) and decreases the number of vaccine doses needed after exposure
- May also provide partial immunity for individuals whose PEP may be delayed or who are at continual, frequent or increased risk of unapparent or unrecognised exposure to the rabies virus due to their location or occupation
What is rabies immunoglobulin (RIG)?
Read More- RIG provides immediately available rabies virus neutralising antibody at the site of exposure, bridging the time between potential virus entry and development of active immunisation following vaccination
- RIG administration is recommended following category III† rabies exposure
†Category III exposure: Single or multiple transdermal bites or scratches, contamination of mucous membrane with saliva from licks, licks on broken skin, exposure to bats
Ensure your patients travelling to high-risk countries understand the risks of exposure to rabies and of possible limited access to needed rabies prophylaxis.
What advice should you give individuals travelling to affected areas?
- PrEP is recommended for people with an increased risk of exposure to the rabies virus:
- For example, veterinaries and gamekeepers
- Travellers to rabies-enzootic areas where treatment for rabies (vaccine, immunoglobulins) is difficult to obtain quickly. In particular children might be considered regarding vaccination, as children can find it tempting to pat and play with stray animals.
- People routinely handling bats
Wound Management
Animal Bite
Clean the Wound
Consult an HCP
- Immediate and thorough washing of all wounds for at least 15 minutes using soap, water, detergent and povidone iodine or another antiviral substance. Wound washing helps to reduce rabies virus infection by eliminating or inactivating rabies virus particles that may have infiltrated the wound
View References
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