Rabies Vaccine for Humans

There are two main courses of vaccination against rabies for humans:

Pre-exposure vaccination

Some people who are likely to encounter the virus such as veterinarians or travelers to high risk areas are given human diploid cell rabies vaccine (HDCV) to protect them from rabies. In the event that exposure occurs a person will require fewer post-exposure injections that will activate the body’s immunity to rabies. Booster shots of HDCV, rabies vaccine absorbed (RVA), or purified chick embryo cell culture vaccine (PCEC) given on the first and third day after a possible infection will effectivly stop the virus in vaccinated people.

Post-exposure vaccination

If a person is exposed to rabies without prior vaccination they must first be treated with human rabies immune globulin (HRIG). As much as possible of the proper dose is injected directly into and around the bite and any remaining HRIG is administered in the arm, leg or buttocks.

The exposed person is then given a series of five injections of either HDCV, RVA, or PCEC into the shoulder muscle or outer thigh.  The vaccine must be administered at a site other than the HRIG on days zero, 3, 7, 14 and 28 of treatment.