What should you know about when rabies vaccine should be given?

Routine rabies vaccination is planned before a likely risk, such as certain work, travel, or animal-care settings. Post-exposure treatment is considered after a bite, scratch, or saliva contact and follows an urgent clinical assessment. The correct schedule depends on the exposure, the person's previous vaccination, the animal involved, and local guidance. A missed appointment should be discussed with the clinic rather than handled by restarting or doubling doses yourself.

Wash a bite or scratch with soap and running water as soon as possible. If saliva touched broken skin, the eyes, nose, or mouth, rinse the area and seek urgent medical advice. Note the time, body site, animal, and circumstances, but do not delay care while trying to catch the animal. Contact a healthcare service that can assess the need for post-exposure treatment; the Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis page provides related guidance.

Seek medical assessment immediately after a possible rabies exposure, even if the wound is small or the animal is no longer present. Do not wait for symptoms, because the treatment decision is based on the contact and risk assessment. Bring any previous vaccination record and tell the clinician about immune conditions or medicines that may affect care. For planned prevention, arrange an appointment early enough to complete the advised schedule before the risk begins.

Ask whether you need routine vaccination or post-exposure care, when the next dose should be given, what to do if timing changes, and which symptoms or exposure details should prompt a return visit.