Is Single Rabies Vaccine Shot Enough After Bitten By A Vaccinated Monkey?

Posted on Tue, 18 Aug 2015

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

Tue, 18 Aug 2015 Answered on

Mon, 7 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : hello I am recently in Tanzania. Two days ago I was in a resort in zanzibar and they had a little monkey there. All the guest were palying with it. The monkey stole a bottle of body lotion from me and i took it back so it wont eat it. The monkey got angry i guess and bit me on my hand. No skin was broken. I went last night to the hospital here and they gave me anti rabbies and tetanus shot. I also called the resort and the owner confirmed that the monkey is fully vacineted. Do i require to take more rabies shots or the one i got last night is suficient?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It should be given by official schedules

Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome.
First, I dont think it was necessary to take these shots at all,especially rabies, ,but from medical point of view since the first dosage is already given then it should be taken as is recommended. It means tetanus after 1 and 6 months, and rabies after 7 and 14 days. If you ask me personally, I dont think that vaccination is necessary for this type of incidents. Wish you good health. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (11 minutes later)

Thank you very much Dr. Romic for your answer. I will be still travelling around XXXXXXX until September 8th and it may be difficult to get to clinics for the next shots and I was told by a doctor here that I wont need more than one shot. Would it be ok for me to just not take other shots? or will this have any side effects on my health?
Thank you very much
Regards
XXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
it wont have side effect

Detailed Answer:
Of course it wont have side effects. But additional vaccines may have side effects. I wouldnt even indicate vaccination for this type of incident so I dont see why would additional vaccine be required.

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj