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Is Rabies Vaccination Ineffective When Injected In The Buttocks?

Posted on Wed, 24 May 2017

Question: I was given a shot of Vaxirab-N in the buttocks immediately after a dog bite 29.4.17. Later, after coming to know that the post exposure shot is to be taken in deltoid region, had a second shot of Rabipur today, on the third day of exposure, in the left shoulder.

May I continue the normal vaccination schedule in the coming next 7, 14 & 28 days or shall have to count afresh taking today as the zero day, since the first shot was given in buttocks?

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Continue the rest dose.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Continue to take as per the schedule and there is no need to restart it.
Buttocks have more fatty tissue so the recommended site is deltoid (shoulder). Fat reduces the absorption of the drug from the site. However the course is long and the first injection has very long time to absorb.
Please do not worry you can continue with the left over injections and do not have to start all again.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (6 hours later)

Ok.
But I feel an extra dose on the safe side should do no harm, if I start counting the days from today.

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (19 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Optional

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

That extra dose is optional. YOu may wish to take to be on safe side. No worry.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar