# Rabies

> The content on this page is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. If you have health concerns, consult a qualified healthcare professional. Medova is not a medical service provider.

Source: https://medova.health/en/knowledge/vaccines/rabies-vaccine · Language: en

## Vaccine Information

- Type: Inactivated
- Administration: Injection
- WHO Code: RAB
- Travel Recommended: Yes

## Overview

Deadly viral disease transmitted through animal bites, primarily from dogs, bats, and wildlife.

Deadly viral disease transmitted through animal bites, primarily from dogs, bats, and wildlife.

Travelers to endemic areas, veterinarians, animal handlers, cave explorers, laboratory workers.

**Pregnancy: Safe — must be given for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).**

Rabies vaccine is an inactivated cell-culture vaccine and is safe during pregnancy.


- **Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP): NO contraindications exist** — rabies PEP must be administered regardless of pregnancy, gestational age, or any other condition. Rabies is nearly 100% fatal once symptomatic.

- Pre-exposure prophylaxis: safe to administer during pregnancy when occupational or travel risk warrants it.

- WHO: pregnancy is not a contraindication for either PrEP or PEP.

- No teratogenic effects observed in published case series.

**Breastfeeding: Safe — no restrictions.**

Rabies vaccine is inactivated and completely safe during breastfeeding. PEP must never be withheld or delayed for any reason, including breastfeeding. No modification to breastfeeding required.

**Pediatric use:**


- No minimum age restriction — rabies vaccine can be given to infants if needed for PEP.

- Children are at higher risk of animal bites (especially from dogs) and may not report exposures.

- WHO intradermal regimen (0.1 mL ID) approved for children — reduces cost significantly.

- Pre-exposure: recommended for children with prolonged travel to rabies-endemic areas (especially if staying in rural settings).

- Same dose as adults: 0.5 mL or 1.0 mL IM depending on formulation.

**Geriatric use:**


- No specific age-related contraindications. Standard dose and schedule apply.

- Immunocompromised elderly patients may have a reduced antibody response — check antibody titer (≥0.5 IU/mL) after pre-exposure vaccination or PEP completion.

- PEP must never be withheld based on age.

## Side Effects

- Abdominal pain (Uncommon)
- Anaphylaxis (Very rare) — Serious
- Angioedema (Rare) — Serious
- Arthralgia (Common)
- Bronchospasm (Rare) — Serious
- Chills (Uncommon)
- Dizziness (Common)
- Encephalitis (Very rare) — Serious
- Fatigue (Uncommon)
- Fever (Common)
- Guillain-Barré syndrome (Very rare) — Serious
- Headache (Very common)
- Injection site induration (Common)
- Injection site itching (Common)
- Injection site pain (Very common)
- Injection site redness (Very common)
- Injection site swelling (Very common)
- Limb pain (Common)
- Loss of appetite (Uncommon)
- Lymphadenopathy (Common)
- Malaise (Very common)
- Myalgia (Common)
- Nausea (Common)
- Paresthesia (Uncommon)
- Pruritus (Uncommon)
- Syncope (Uncommon)
- Urticaria (Uncommon)
- Vomiting (Uncommon)

## Contraindications

- Acute febrile illness (Precaution)
- Anaphylaxis after previous dose (Absolute)
- Allergy to vaccine component (Absolute)
- Egg allergy (Relative)
- Gelatin allergy (Relative)
- History of Guillain-Barré syndrome (Precaution)
- Moderate immunosuppression (Precaution)
- Neomycin allergy (Relative)
- Pregnancy (Precaution)

## Vaccination Schedule

| Dose | Brand | Days from previous | Age range |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Dose 1 | Imovax Rabies | — | — |
| Dose 1 | Imovax Rabies | — | — |
| Dose 2 | Imovax Rabies | 7d | — |
| Dose 2 | Imovax Rabies | 3d | — |
| Dose 3 | Imovax Rabies | 4d | — |
| Dose 4 | Imovax Rabies | 7d | — |

## FAQ

**How many doses of Rabies are needed?**

The Rabies vaccination schedule consists of 6 dose(s).

**What are the side effects of Rabies?**

Common side effects include: Abdominal pain, Anaphylaxis, Angioedema, Arthralgia, Bronchospasm.

**Who should not get Rabies?**

Contraindications include: Acute febrile illness, Anaphylaxis after previous dose, Allergy to vaccine component, Egg allergy, Gelatin allergy.

## Prevents

- [Rabies](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/diseases/rabies)

## Indications

- [Turkey](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/turkey): Required
- [Indonesia](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/indonesia): Recommended
- [Indonesia](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/indonesia): Recommended
- [Indonesia](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/indonesia): Recommended
- [Vietnam](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/vietnam): Recommended
- [Vietnam](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/vietnam): Recommended
- [Vietnam](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/vietnam): Recommended
- [India](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/india): Recommended
- [India](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/india): Recommended
- [India](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/india): Recommended

## Sources & content verification

- Data sources: WHO Position Papers 2024 + CDC Pink Book 2024 + EMA SmPC
- [www.who.int](https://www.who.int/teams/immunization-vaccines-and-biologicals/policies/position-papers)

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The content on this page is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. If you have health concerns, consult a qualified healthcare professional. Medova is not a medical service provider.

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