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Rabies Vaccine

What is rabies?

• Rabies is a virus that can infect the nervous system of any

   mammal.
• The rabies virus is found in the saliva of a rabid animal; it

   is spread through a bite or scratch, or (rarely) through the

   air if visiting a cave where many bats roost.
• Rabies can cause neurological symptoms and coma.
• Nearly all people with rabies will die.

What does rabies vaccine contain?

• Imovax® vaccine contains beta propriolactone, neomycin,

phenol red indicator and human albumin. It is harvested from infected MRC-5 human diploid cells.

• RabAvert® vaccine contains polygeline (processed bovine gelatin), human serum albumin, potassium glutamate, sodium EDTA, chicken protein, neomycin, chlortetracycline, ovalbumin, amphotericin B, B propriolactone, bovine serum.  It is harvested from infected MRC-5 human diploid cells.
• These vaccines do not contain latex.

Who should receive rabies vaccine?

• People with actual exposure or possible risk of exposure

   to rabid animals, (e.g. lab workers, veterinarians, animal

   control and wildlife workers and spelunkers).
• Travellers to rabies-infected countries, who are away from

   a major medical centre, or who stay longer than one

   month or who stay for any period of time when their

   activities pose a special risk.

Who should not receive rabies vaccine?

• Pre-exposure:
   - Anyone who has had a life-threatening allergic reaction

     to any component of the vaccine.
   - People with moderate to severe illness may have to

     delay immunization.
• Post-exposure:
   - no specific contraindications.

When should rabies vaccine be given?

• A series of 3 injections given on day 0, 7 and 21

  (pre-exposure)
• A series of 5 injections on day 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28 (post-

   exposure)

• Persons previously immunized with a completed rabies

   vaccine schedule need to receive 2 additional doses on

   day 0 and 3 (post-exposure).
• May be safely given with other vaccines.

How is rabies vaccine given?

• By injection into a muscle.

How effective is rabies vaccine?

• Antibodies appear in most persons 7 - 14 days after immunization and persist for at least 2 years.
• Antibodies should be tested on day 14, if post-exposure and are immunosuppressed or on immunosuppressive therapy.

How long does the protection last?

• At least 2 years.
• Have a blood test done every 2 years if risk of exposure

   to rabies continues; every 6 months if a lab worker.
• Consider a booster dose of rabies vaccine if the blood test

   shows that the protective level is low.

What might be felt after receiving rabies vaccine?

Common (> 1%)

• Redness,hardness, pain at the injection site.
• Fatigue, fever, headache, muscle aches, joint soreness, dizziness, swollen lymph nodes, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, rash or pain/swelling in joints.

Very rarely (< 0.01%)

• Allergic symptoms (rash, hives, wheezing, anaphylaxis).
• Neurological (numbness, encephalitis, transient paralysis).
• Papitations, visual disturbance, chills, sweating.

Call the number below if you have severe or unusual reactions.

For more information call Public Health Services at:

• Pre-exposure: (306) 655-4780
• Post-exposure: (306) 655-4612

Your immunization information will be recorded in a computerized system known as the Saskatchewan Immunization Management Systems (SIMS).

Information collected in SIMS may be used to:

• manage immunization records
• notify you if you or your child needs an immunization
• and monitor how well vaccines work in preventing vaccine

   preventable diseases.

Your immunization records may also be shared with health care professionals in order to provide public health services; assist with diagnosis and treatment; and to control the spread of vaccine preventable diseases.

©2008, Saskatoon Health Region.  Reproduced only by permission.

(Updated December 31, 2009)