Is Missing 28th Day Rabies Vaccination A Cause For Concern?

Posted on Fri, 3 Apr 2015

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

Fri, 3 Apr 2015 Answered on

Fri, 24 Apr 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : sir I have bitten by dog on my foot but there is no scratch and no wound . so I did not vaccinated .but after 15 days I have vaccinated . I have completed 0 ,3,7 days course only 28 days vaccination is remaining so I want to know am I at risk ?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please take complete schedule including days 14 and 28 vaccination

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.

1. As there is no scratch or wound, it might be considered to be a low risk dog bite.

2. If there is no scratch or wound then there is no need to worry but it is good that you have started taking the anti rabies vaccine course and taken doses on 0, 3, 7 days.

3. As per the international guidelines, anti rabies vaccine after probable dog bite must be taken as a 5 dose schedule. The 5 dose intramuscular regime is one dose of the vaccine should be administered on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28 in deltoid region.

4. For complete immunity, it is recommended that you take both, the 14 and 28 day vaccines to build up antibodies within you. This will help you if you have a dog bite again and if such a dog bite occurs within 12 months of completion of vaccination course then you need to take only 2 doses on days 0 and 3.

5. Considering the dog bite incident, if there is no scratch or wound then you had a low risk exposure and after taking vaccine you will be completely protected.

Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (23 hours later)

As I have taken vaccine 15 days late that's why I am getting tensed. So after 15 days is the vaccine will work?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
The vaccine will have a protective function and generate antibodies

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

1. The injury is low risk one and there is no scratch or bleeding from your foot. There is no need to worry at all even if you started vaccination 15 days later.

2. There would have been some risk if there was open bleeding wound on your leg.

3. For dog bite it is best to start vaccination within one day.

4. Please observe the dog for 10 days. If it is normal then the dog is a good one and does not appear to have rabies.

5. After 15 days the vaccination will work by generating anti rabies antibodies within you. This will reduce risk of rabies in subsequent dog bite for a year. There is no reason to worry.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar