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Rabies Vaccine

Rabies Vaccine

Doses

To provide the best protection, a person should get a series of 3 shots:

  • 2 injections, 1 week apart
  • a third injection, 2 weeks after the second injection

A booster shot is recommended after 2 years for travel to areas where the risk of rabies is high. People working in jobs where there is a continued risk of exposure to rabies might also get boosters, depending on their level of immunity.

Getting the pre-exposure vaccine

Contact your family doctor to discuss receiving the vaccine.

Who should get the vaccine

The pre-exposure rabies vaccination should be given to people:

  • Spending 1 month or more in countries where rabies is common
  • Travelling in rural areas in countries where rabies is common and where a major medical centre is more than 24 hours away
  • Working in a job that might expose them to rabies.

The following jobs are examples of those that might expose people to rabies:

  • certain laboratory workers
  • veterinarians
  • animal control
  • wildlife workers
  • forest rangers
  • miners


Who should not get the vaccine

The pre-exposure rabies vaccination should not be given to people who:

  • had an allergic reaction to a previous dose of rabies vaccine
  • are allergic to any component of the vaccine (for example, neomycin, phenol)
  • are ill with an infection or fever
  • are pregnant, unless specifically advised by a doctor

Tell your healthcare provider about any allergies, medications you are taking, illnesses or any previous suspected reactions to any vaccine, since they might affect the response to the vaccine.

Vaccine safety

It is common to have temporary soreness, redness, swelling and itching where the rabies shot was given.

Some people (5% - 40%) who receive the vaccine might have the following symptoms, which usually go away after 2 days:

  • headache
  • nausea
  • abdominal pain
  • muscle aches
  • dizziness

When to visit a doctor

Visit your doctor or go to the emergency room right away if you develop any of the following symptoms within 3 weeks of getting the rabies vaccine:

  • high fever (more than 40° C or 104° F)
  • crying for more than 3 hours in young children
  • convulsions or seizures
  • very pale colour and serious drowsiness
  • hives
  • swelling of the face or mouth
  • trouble breathing
  • other serious problems

Post-exposure treatment for rabies

In Ontario, post-exposure treatment involves administration of immune globulin and 4 doses of rabies vaccine over a 14-day period.

  • Day 0: Rabies immune globulin and first dose of rabies vaccine is given as soon as possible after exposure.
  • Days 3, 7, 14: Additional doses of rabies vaccine are given.
  • Day 28: For immunocompromised persons, a fifth dose of vaccine is given.

Rabies post-exposure treatment is relatively painless. It does not require injections in the stomach as it did in the past.

How to get rabies treatment

Consult your family doctor.

Exposure to rabies

Seek medical attention and advice from a physician if you are potentially exposed to rabies - even if you have received rabies vaccine in the past.

Treatment is free

Rabies post-exposure treatment is free to Ontario residents. The Provincial Ministry of Health provides the rabies immune globulin and vaccine, and OHIP covers the medical costs.

Rabies information for physicians

Physicians must report information concerning any animal bite or other animal contact that may result in rabies in their patients to the Halton Region Health Department.

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