Rabies vaccine booster two doses, then bitten again
Feb 11, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Li Feng
Introduction
After receiving two booster doses of the rabies vaccine, if bitten again, no injection is needed within 3 months; between 3 to 5 months, two booster doses are required; and if more than 6 months have passed, a full course of vaccination is necessary. After an animal bite or scratch, the wound should be promptly washed with water or soap solution, then disinfected with iodine. A complete course of rabies vaccine must be administered. If the wound is severe, rabies immunoglobulin can also be given.
After receiving two booster doses of the rabies vaccine, if bitten again, no additional injection is required within 3 months. Two booster doses are needed if the bite occurs 3–5 months after vaccination, and a full course of vaccination is required if more than 6 months have passed.
Following an animal bite or scratch, the wound should be promptly washed with water or soap and water, then disinfected with iodine tincture. A complete course of rabies vaccination is generally required. After completing the full vaccination series, the body produces antibodies against rabies, but these antibodies last only for a short period.
If a bite occurs within 3 months of vaccination, washing the wound with soap and water followed by disinfection with iodine tincture is sufficient; re-vaccination is not necessary. If the bite occurs 3–5 months after the previous vaccination, thoroughly clean the wound without bandaging, and administer two booster doses. If more than 6 months have passed since the last vaccination, or if the injury is severe (such as category III exposure, or bites to the head or face), a full course of vaccination should be repeated. For large wounds, rabies immunoglobulin may also be administered.
The rabies vaccination schedule must be strictly followed without interruption to ensure effective immunity.
