Do I need a rabies vaccine if the skin is not broken?

In general, if there is no broken skin and no contact between animal saliva and mucous membranes, rabies vaccination is not necessary. However, if there is mucosal exposure or the animal's health status is unknown, potential risks should still be taken seriously. If in doubt, it is recommended to seek medical advice promptly. Detailed analysis is as follows:

If an animal merely lightly touches or licks intact skin—without any skin damage, redness, swelling, or contact of saliva with mucous membranes (such as mouth or eyes)—and the animal has proof of good health and up-to-date vaccinations, there is no route for viral entry. In such cases, rabies vaccination is unnecessary; simply cleaning the contacted area is sufficient.

If animal saliva comes into contact with mucous membranes such as the mouth or eyes, or if the skin has microscopic wounds invisible to the naked eye (e.g., recent scratches or unhealed abrasions) despite appearing intact, and especially if the animal’s origin is unclear or its health status unknown (e.g., stray animals), there may be a risk of indirect viral transmission. In these situations, medical evaluation is required to determine whether vaccination is needed.

After contact with an animal, immediately examine the condition of the skin and mucous membranes and rinse the exposed area with water. Record the animal's characteristics and details of the encounter to provide accurate information when seeking medical care. When uncertain about the level of risk, seek prompt medical assessment from a healthcare professional to avoid delays in protective measures.