Here is the complete medical overview of the Rabies Vaccine:
🧾 Rabies Vaccine – Full Information
📘 Description
The Rabies vaccine is used to prevent and treat rabies, a deadly viral infection transmitted by the bite or scratch of infected animals (like dogs, bats, cats). It contains inactivated (killed) rabies virus and stimulates the immune system to build protection.
💊 Prescription
- Prescription: Required
- Administration: Intramuscular injection
- Vaccination Types:
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP):
- 3 doses: Day 0, Day 7, Day 21 or 28
- Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP):
- 4 or 5 doses on specific days (Day 0, 3, 7, 14, ± 28)
- Along with Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) for high-risk cases
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP):
🩺 Uses
- Pre-exposure:
- For people at high risk: vets, lab workers, animal handlers, travelers to endemic areas
- Post-exposure:
- After an animal bite, scratch, or saliva exposure
- Prevents rabies virus from causing fatal infection
🔬 Nature
- Type: Inactivated (killed) virus vaccine
- Form: Injectable
- Common Brands: Rabipur, Verorab, Abhayrab, Rabivax-S
- Category: WHO Category I, II, III depending on exposure severity
🌟 Advantages
- Life-saving: 100% effective when given promptly and correctly
- Safe for children and adults
- No risk of causing rabies (as it’s inactivated)
- Boosts long-term immunity in high-risk people
⚠️ Precautions
- Avoid if:
- Known severe allergic reaction to previous rabies vaccine
- Caution if:
- Pregnancy (risk vs benefit considered)
- Immunocompromised patients (may need more doses)
- Side Effects:
- Mild: Fever, soreness, swelling at injection site
- Rare: Allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
📦 Packaging
- Form: Lyophilized powder (freeze-dried) to be reconstituted with sterile water
- Packaging: Single-dose vials with diluent
- Label Includes: Batch number, expiry, storage info
❄️ Storage
- Temperature: 2°C to 8°C (refrigerated)
- Do not freeze
- Keep away from light
- Use immediately after reconstitution