Is it a problem if a dog that has received the rabies vaccine bites someone?

Even if a dog has been vaccinated against rabies, there is still a certain risk of rabies infection after it bites someone. This is because although rabies vaccines can effectively stimulate the dog's immune system to produce antibodies against the rabies virus, their effectiveness is not absolute and can be influenced by various factors, such as the dog's health condition, the type of vaccine, and the timing of vaccination. Additionally, even if the viral load in the dog's body is reduced, it is still not possible to completely rule out the possibility of carrying and transmitting the virus. Details are as follows:

1. Limitations of vaccine effectiveness: The main function of rabies vaccines is prevention rather than cure, and they cannot guarantee that there is absolutely no rabies virus present in the dog's body. Particularly if the dog was infected with the virus before vaccination or the vaccine failed to adequately stimulate an immune response, the dog may still carry and transmit the virus.

2. Response measures after a bite: Regardless of whether a dog has been vaccinated against rabies, immediate wound cleansing should be performed after a bite injury, and medical attention should be sought as soon as possible. The doctor will assess the risk of infection based on the wound condition and may recommend administration of rabies vaccine and/or rabies immunoglobulin to prevent the occurrence of rabies.

To reduce the risk of rabies infection, in addition to ensuring that dogs are vaccinated and undergo regular veterinary check-ups, appropriate distance should also be maintained when interacting with pets to avoid unnecessary injuries.