Do I need to get vaccinated again if I was bitten after having received the rabies vaccine ten years ago?

If you received the rabies vaccine ten years ago and have been bitten again, you still need to get vaccinated. The effective period of the rabies vaccine is six months. Within six months after vaccination, if you are bitten or scratched by a dog, there is no need for additional rabies vaccines. Between six months and one year, two booster shots are recommended. After one year, you must receive the full course of rabies vaccination again.

1. Within six months

If bitten by a dog within six months of vaccination and the skin is not broken or bleeding, there is no need for another vaccine. First, properly treat the wound by washing the skin with soap and water followed by rinsing thoroughly with clean water. If the skin is broken or bleeding, disinfection at a hospital is required.

2. Between six months and one year

If bitten by a dog between six months and one year after vaccination, a rabies vaccine booster dose is needed to strengthen immunity.

3. After one year

Ten years after vaccination, if bitten by a dog, you must be revaccinated against rabies—even if there is no obvious injury, vaccination is still necessary.

In addition, if the wound is severe, tetanus immunoglobulin may be administered.