Preventive rabies vaccine

Rabies is a serious infection usually associated with infected animal saliva entering the body through a bite, scratch or mucous membrane. Pre-exposure vaccination is considered for people whose work, travel or activities could bring them close to animals or areas where rabies occurs. The schedule and need for follow-up doses depend on the person and the anticipated risk.

Vaccination reduces risk but does not make an animal bite harmless. It also does not remove the need for wound cleaning and medical assessment after a possible exposure.

Discuss your activities, destination, health conditions and previous vaccines with a clinician before travel or occupational exposure. Read more about Rabies Vaccination. If bitten, scratched or exposed to saliva, wash the area thoroughly with soap and running water and seek urgent advice immediately. Do not wait for the animal to become unwell or for symptoms to appear; ask about Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis.

Any suspected rabies exposure needs urgent medical assessment, even if the wound looks small and even if you received preventive vaccination. Go promptly after a bite, scratch, saliva contact with broken skin, or contact with the eyes or mouth. Emergency help is needed for severe bleeding, facial injury, breathing problems or altered awareness.

Ask whether your work or travel creates enough risk for preventive vaccination, which doses are needed, and what to do if an exposure occurs. Confirm where to obtain urgent post-exposure care and whether any medicine or health condition changes the plan.