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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Long Does Immunity Last After Receiving Rabies Vaccination?

Hi doc. My son was bitten by our dog last november. He is vaccinated by 5 dose of anti rabies. His last vaccination was just this year january. And he is bitten again yesterday. Do he really need to be vaccinated again? By the way, our dog is also vaccinated for anti rabies. Thanks
Fri, 12 May 2017
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello Dear. To be on safer side i would advice you to get your son vaccinated again. But it depends on the severity of wound. If it is just minor abrasions then just 2 booster dose on 0 and 3rd day is enough. If the wound is severe or in sites like head, face, neck etc then the entire course should be repeated.

Some doctors may suggest just a Tetanus injection, and ask you to watch the dog for ten days. If there is any signs of madness in the dog in the course of ten days then report immediately and get vaccinated. Otherwise just a tetanus is enough. This may be the view of some doctors in case you are very sure that the pet dog doesnot have symptoms of rabies and its vaccinated.

But still there is a minor chance of risk. Why to take even the slightest risk? Because once if a person contracts rabies then mortality is 100%.

Hence you can contact a physician and let him assess the severity of wound and in case it is a minor wound just ask your son to take 2 booster dose on 0 and 3rd day.

Though the immunity lasts for 2 to 10 years but still it is advisible to take booster dose of rabies irrespective of the interval between the previous full course of vaccination, because we dont want to take risk with rabies.

Hope i have answered your question. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions. I ll be glad to help you.
All the best
With warm regards
Dr Sanjay Kini     
     






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How Long Does Immunity Last After Receiving Rabies Vaccination?

Hello Dear. To be on safer side i would advice you to get your son vaccinated again. But it depends on the severity of wound. If it is just minor abrasions then just 2 booster dose on 0 and 3rd day is enough. If the wound is severe or in sites like head, face, neck etc then the entire course should be repeated. Some doctors may suggest just a Tetanus injection, and ask you to watch the dog for ten days. If there is any signs of madness in the dog in the course of ten days then report immediately and get vaccinated. Otherwise just a tetanus is enough. This may be the view of some doctors in case you are very sure that the pet dog doesnot have symptoms of rabies and its vaccinated. But still there is a minor chance of risk. Why to take even the slightest risk? Because once if a person contracts rabies then mortality is 100%. Hence you can contact a physician and let him assess the severity of wound and in case it is a minor wound just ask your son to take 2 booster dose on 0 and 3rd day. Though the immunity lasts for 2 to 10 years but still it is advisible to take booster dose of rabies irrespective of the interval between the previous full course of vaccination, because we dont want to take risk with rabies. Hope i have answered your question. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions. I ll be glad to help you. All the best With warm regards Dr Sanjay Kini