Is rabies vaccination done with inactivated vaccine?

An inactivated vaccine contains material that has been treated so it cannot reproduce and cause the infection it is designed to prevent. The immune system can still recognise it and build protection. The injection may cause soreness, redness, swelling, headache, tiredness, or a mild fever. These effects usually settle without special treatment.

Rabies prevention after a bite, scratch, or saliva exposure can involve wound cleaning, vaccine, and sometimes rabies immunoglobulin. The plan depends on the animal, the exposure, the wound, and previous vaccination.

Wash a bite or scratch promptly with running water and soap, then seek medical care without waiting for symptoms. Do not apply irritant chemicals or close a wound yourself. Tell the clinician when the exposure happened, where it occurred, what animal was involved, whether it can be observed, and whether you have received rabies vaccine before. Keep appointments for the schedule advised by the treating team.

Seek urgent medical advice after any bite or scratch from a mammal that could carry rabies, or when saliva contacts broken skin, the eyes, or the mouth. Go for urgent help if the wound is deep, bleeding heavily, or involves the face, hand, or neck. Fever, confusion, difficulty swallowing, or unusual agitation after a possible exposure requires emergency care.

Do I need post-exposure vaccination? Could rabies immunoglobulin be needed? What schedule applies to my exposure and previous vaccine history? Which side effects should I report? Should the animal be reported or observed by local authorities?