Rabies Vaccine

What you need to know:

1. What is Rabies?
Rabies is a viral infection of the central nervous system with a fatal outcome and with no effective cure.

Rabies is mainly a disease of animals. Humans get rabies when they are bitten by infected animals.

At first there might not be any symptoms. But weeks, or even years after a bite, rabies can cause pain, fatigue, headaches, fever, and irritability. These are followed by seizures, hallucinations, and paralysis.

In the Philippines, incidence is 6-8/million population (269 cases in 2002). Domestic dog transmits 98% of human rabies cases, cats in 1.3%.

Rabies vaccine can prevent rabies.

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

3. Who should get rabies vaccine and when?
Preventive Vaccination (No Exposure)

People at high risk of exposure to rabies, such as veterinarians, animal handlers, rabies laboratory workers, spelunkers, and rabies biologics production workers should be offered rabies vaccine.

The vaccine should also be considered for:
Health care workers in hospitals who handle dog bites and rabies cases.
Field workers and international travelers who are likely to come in contact with animals in parts of the world where rabies is common.

The pre-exposure schedule for rabies vaccination is 3 doses, given at the following times: Days 0, 7, 21 or 28

Vaccination After an Exposure

Anyone who has been bitten by an animal, or who otherwise may have been exposed to rabies, should see a doctor immediately.

A person who is exposed and has never been vaccinated against rabies should get 5 doses of rabies vaccine - one dose right away, and additional doses on the Days 3,7,14,and 28.

A person who has been previously vaccinated should get 2 doses of rabies vaccine - one right away and another on the 3rd day.

4. Tell your doctor if . . .
Talk with a doctor before getting rabies vaccine if you:

1) ever had a serious (life-threatening) allergic reaction to a previous dose of rabies vaccine, or to any component of the vaccine,
2) have a weakened immune system because of:
- HIV/AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system,
- treatment with drugs that affect the immune system, such as steroids,
- cancer, or cancer treatment with radiation or drugs.

If you have a minor illnesses, such as a cold, you can be vaccinated. If you are moderately or severely ill, you should probably wait until you recover before getting a routine (non-exposure) dose of rabies vaccine.

If you have been exposed to rabies virus, you should get the vaccine regardless of any other illnesses you may have.

5. What are the risks from rabies vaccine?
The risk of a vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small. Serious problems from rabies vaccine are very rare.

Mild problems:
• soreness, redness, swelling, or itching where the shot was given (30% - 74%)
• headache, nausea, abdominal pain, muscle aches, dizziness (5% - 40%)

Moderate problems:
• hives, pain in the joints, fever (about 6% of booster doses)
• illness resembling Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), with complete recovery (very rare)

Other nervous system disorders have been reported after rabies vaccine, but this happens so rarely that it is not known whether they are related to the vaccine.

NOTE: Several brands of rabies vaccine are available in the Philippines, and reactions may vary between brands. Your provider can give you more information about a particular brand.

6. What if there is a moderate or severe reaction?
What should I look for?
• Any unusual condition, such as a high fever or behavior changes. Signs of a serious allergic reaction can include difficulty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heart beat or dizziness.

What should I do?
• Call a doctor, or get the person to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor what happened, the date and time it happened, and when the vaccination was given.

7. How can I learn more?
• Ask your doctor or nurse. They can give you the vaccine package insert or suggest other sources of information.

References: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov (accessed February 2008) and Committee on Immunization, Philippine Society for Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (PSMID) & the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV). Handbook on Adult Immunization for Filipinos 2004.

© 2008 L.Y.F. Vaccination & Medical Services, Inc.
L.Y.F. Branches: *6750 Medical Clinic 2nd Floor, Fenina Bldg., 6750 Aguilar Ave (CAA Rd), Las Pinas City,
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