How Long Does Immunity Last After Receiving Rabies Vaccination?

Posted on Sat, 17 Dec 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 17 Dec 2016 Answered on

Fri, 20 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Dear doctor,

In May I received 5 shots of post-exposure rabies vaccin. Around a month ago a booster dose of two. Today I may have been in touch with a bat in Egypt so I want to know if I need two additional shots.

If so, won't it harm me or the strength of the vaccin having so many shots in so little amount of time. My last booster was around a month ago.

Thanks in advance.

Best,

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Vaddadi Suresh (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
In your case, vaccination is not needed.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I have gone through your query. As you have been vaccinated 6 months back with full course of ARV (Anti Rabies Vaccine) and again a month back with 2 booster doses, you must be having adequate antibody protection. At the moment, an apparent touch with a bat do not warrant further vaccinations.

Whether too many vaccinations will harm you or not is not known but generally they are safe even with repeated vaccines.

In your case, vaccination is not needed.

HOPE I HAVE ANSWERED YOUR QUESTIONS. Feel free to ask further.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Vaddadi Suresh (25 minutes later)

Dear doctor,

Thank you for your answer.

I am happy to hear so.

Just in case, and as you probably understand, I will probably visit the Egyptian center for vaccins tomorrow. But if they want to give me two extra shots as booster it would not harm me or the strength of the vaccin?

Best,

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Vaddadi Suresh (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
you may have them.

Detailed Answer:
HI,

As i mentioned, taking another two booster doses is not harmful. You may have them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Vaddadi Suresh (12 hours later)

Dear Doctor,

Thank you again.

I have one follow-up question.

The 5 shots of post-exposure Rabies a few months ago, they also gave me HRIG as they should. However they gave a too low dose at the same side as the vaccine. So the wrong side.

Will the boosters still be effective or should I re-start the vaccination program?
And how?

Best,

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Vaddadi Suresh (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You can follow regular schedule.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Rabies Ig is only for temporary protection till such time vaccine produces antibody. After that, Ig has got no role. So your boosters have got nothing to do with the errors committed during Ig administration. You can follow regular schedule of 2 doses, three days apart.. ALL THE BEST.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar