What should you know about pre rabies vaccine?

Rabies is a serious viral infection that can spread through the saliva of an infected animal, commonly through a bite or scratch. Pre-exposure vaccination is designed for people with a higher chance of contact, such as some animal workers, laboratory staff, wildlife professionals and travellers to places where access to post-exposure care may be limited.

The vaccine lowers the complexity of treatment after a possible exposure, but protection is not a reason to ignore a wound. It does not treat symptoms of rabies and does not replace medical assessment.

Discuss your destination, activities, animal contact, immune health and previous vaccines with a clinician. Keep a record of doses and ask whether follow-up doses or an antibody check is advised for your situation. Common short-lived effects can include soreness at the injection site, tiredness or a mild fever.

After any bite, scratch or saliva contact with broken skin, wash the area thoroughly with soap and running water and seek urgent medical advice, even if you completed pre-exposure vaccination. Do not wait for symptoms.

Get urgent assessment after contact with a bat or potentially infected mammal, or if saliva reaches the eyes, mouth or broken skin. A clinician will decide whether you need additional vaccine doses and other treatment. Fever, unusual sensations at a wound, difficulty swallowing, confusion or spasms after a possible exposure are emergencies.

Do my work or travel plans justify pre-exposure vaccination? Which schedule applies to me? What should I do if I am bitten, and where can I obtain urgent post-exposure care while travelling?