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How Long Is Booster Dose For Rabies Effective?
Question: I have previous history of rabies vaccination with vaxirab n. The full course of dose was completed on 31st May, 15 (post exposure) after that I was again bitten by a dog after a week. The dog was highly suspicious so I took 2 vaccines on day 0 and 3. That means I took the later vaccination that is booster about 21-22 days ago. Today I drink coconut water that was contaminated by rat's saliva and the time difference between contamination and drinking was not much, may be one minute. Do i need further vaccination? and how long that previous booster dose, taken 21-22 days back, is going to protect me?
Brief Answer:
Post-exposure prophylactic vaccine required.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to health care magic,
I have read your query and understand the concern.
You have already taken vaxirab booster vaccination before 20-22 days and also vaccinated prior to that. But you again had exposure of saliva to the oral mucous membrane and according to WHO guidelines you should again take immunization of rabipur 2 shots on 0 and 3 day as it is independent of last immunization interval period. (category-iii PEP post-exposure prophylaxis) and also administration of rabies immune globulin are recommended.
The normal antibody levels are 6-12 IU/ml in healthy individuals post vaccination. But there is no protective antibody levels for rabies.
As rabies has high 100 mortality rate it is better to get vaccinated. You have to get vaccination which is independent of last immunization.
So,consult your nearby doctor for the booster dose as i explained.
Regards,
Dr.SandipKabra
Post-exposure prophylactic vaccine required.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to health care magic,
I have read your query and understand the concern.
You have already taken vaxirab booster vaccination before 20-22 days and also vaccinated prior to that. But you again had exposure of saliva to the oral mucous membrane and according to WHO guidelines you should again take immunization of rabipur 2 shots on 0 and 3 day as it is independent of last immunization interval period. (category-iii PEP post-exposure prophylaxis) and also administration of rabies immune globulin are recommended.
The normal antibody levels are 6-12 IU/ml in healthy individuals post vaccination. But there is no protective antibody levels for rabies.
As rabies has high 100 mortality rate it is better to get vaccinated. You have to get vaccination which is independent of last immunization.
So,consult your nearby doctor for the booster dose as i explained.
Regards,
Dr.SandipKabra
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Thank you for your kind reply doctor.
I'm a little worried about overdose and why rabipur sir ? i could proceed with vaxirab. does rabipur affect vaxirab's potency?
I almost forgot, I got two tetanus shot during vaccination period, first was not stored in freezer so i had to take another. Is it alright?
I drink coconut water that was contaminated by RAT'S saliva, does rat cause rabies? if i take vaccine again it will be 9 in total within 2 months. is it harmful to me? plz help doc
I'm a little worried about overdose and why rabipur sir ? i could proceed with vaxirab. does rabipur affect vaxirab's potency?
I almost forgot, I got two tetanus shot during vaccination period, first was not stored in freezer so i had to take another. Is it alright?
I drink coconut water that was contaminated by RAT'S saliva, does rat cause rabies? if i take vaccine again it will be 9 in total within 2 months. is it harmful to me? plz help doc
Brief Answer:
vaxirab and rabipur are same,the brands are different.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the follow-up.
You need not to be worried about overdose as you had exposed to rat's saliva which may also contain rabies virus,so you should have another 2 shots of vaxirab as per WHO guidelines category-iii post exposure prophylaxis irrespective of the last immunization period.
Vaxirab and rabipur are same rabies vaccines but the brand names are different which does not matter and doesn't affect potency.
Better you continue with vaxirab brand as you had taken it earlier.
2 tetanus shots won't cause any problem, so need to worry about it.
Hope I have answered all the queries and still if you have any doubt feel free to ask me.
Regards,
vaxirab and rabipur are same,the brands are different.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the follow-up.
You need not to be worried about overdose as you had exposed to rat's saliva which may also contain rabies virus,so you should have another 2 shots of vaxirab as per WHO guidelines category-iii post exposure prophylaxis irrespective of the last immunization period.
Vaxirab and rabipur are same rabies vaccines but the brand names are different which does not matter and doesn't affect potency.
Better you continue with vaxirab brand as you had taken it earlier.
2 tetanus shots won't cause any problem, so need to worry about it.
Hope I have answered all the queries and still if you have any doubt feel free to ask me.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
thank you doc!! i took the shot as you said.
1. i put a bit of raw detol on my arm to clean it as in the medicine shop there was no spirit for cleaning the area to be vaccinated. after removing dirt with raw detol i took the vaccine. is this alright? can it produce any adverse effect?
2. is drinking water within 30 mins of vaccination is not recommended?
3. how long this vaccination is going to protect me?
1. i put a bit of raw detol on my arm to clean it as in the medicine shop there was no spirit for cleaning the area to be vaccinated. after removing dirt with raw detol i took the vaccine. is this alright? can it produce any adverse effect?
2. is drinking water within 30 mins of vaccination is not recommended?
3. how long this vaccination is going to protect me?
Brief Answer:
vaccine can be effective after washing the bitten area.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the follow-up.
Yes,the vaccine can be taken after the washing of the bitten area by savlon or dettol with water and it will not cause any adverse reaction except mild local allergic reaction occasionally which has no clinical significance.
There is no issue with water drinking after IM injection of rabies vaccine.
It has been found that the efficiency of the rabies vaccine is maximum if given in a duration of 1 month. Many combinations were tried but this regime was found most effective.
If you need more clarifications then feel free to ask me.
Regards,
vaccine can be effective after washing the bitten area.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the follow-up.
Yes,the vaccine can be taken after the washing of the bitten area by savlon or dettol with water and it will not cause any adverse reaction except mild local allergic reaction occasionally which has no clinical significance.
There is no issue with water drinking after IM injection of rabies vaccine.
It has been found that the efficiency of the rabies vaccine is maximum if given in a duration of 1 month. Many combinations were tried but this regime was found most effective.
If you need more clarifications then feel free to ask me.
Regards,
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
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