Rabies Vaccine

Rabies vaccine may prevent rabies, a serious and usually fatal disease caused by the rabies virus. Rabies is mainly a disease of animals. Humans get rabies when they are bitten by infected animals.

Rabies vaccine is given to people at high risk of rabies to protect them if they are exposed to rabies. It can also prevent the disease if it is given to a person that has been exposed to rabies.

Infection with rabies can cause pain, fatigue, headaches, fever, and irritability. These symptoms are followed by seizures, hallucinations, paralysis, and death. These symptoms may occur weeks or even years after a bite.

Rabies vaccine does not contain live virus. The vaccine works by helping your body to make antibodies against rabies virus.

Rabies vaccine comes as a suspension (liquid) to be given intramuscularly (into a muscle) by a healthcare provider.

To prevent rabies prior to virus exposure in people at high risk of being exposed, it is given as 2 or 3 doses.

To prevent rabies disease after exposure to the virus, it is given as 5 doses, on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28.

An additional single-dose may be given as a "booster" if individuals remain at high risk of exposure to the virus.

Tell your vaccine provider if you:

• have had an allergic reaction to this vaccine, any part of this vaccine, any other vaccine or any drug, food or substance. Tell your vaccine provider about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
• have ever received a rabies vaccine.
• have a weakened immune system.
• are taking any prescription or nonprescription medications, vitamins, or nutritional supplements.
• tell your vaccine provider if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

In some cases, your health care provider may decide to postpone vaccination to a future visit.

Side effects that have been reported with Rabies Vaccine include:

• pain, swelling, at itching at the injection site
• headache
• nausea
• stomach pain
• muscle aches
• dizziness
• feeling unwell
• fever

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• hives, rash, itching, wheezing, or trouble breathing or swallowing
• swelling of the face, eyes, mouth, throat, tongue, lips, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• numbness, weakness, tingling in the legs and arms; difficulty walking; problems with coordination; or fainting
• seizures

People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.

Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your health care provider will usually file this report, or you can do it yourself. Visit https://vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff members do not give medical advice.

• Read the Vaccine Information Sheet (VIS) that your vaccine provider will give you or you can obtain it at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/current-vis/index.html
• Ask your healthcare provider.
• Call your local or state health department.

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