Should The Remaining 3 Dosage Of Rabies Vaccination Be Given In The Deltoid Region For A Child?

Question: Hi Doctor,

My son had touched a cat a month ago. The cat was not responding and wasn't showing any signs of being active. To be on the safe side, I have initiated anti-rabies injections on him. My son is 2.7 years old and I am administrating him Abhyarab.

As of now, he has taken 2 dosage of the vaccine out of 5. Since he is 2.7 years old, the doctor advised the vaccination to be administered on the gluteal muscle instead of deltoid. Now, I've read in few medical journals that anti-rabies vaccine should be administered in the deltoid region irrespective of age. It was written that anti-rabies vaccine, if administered in the gluteal region takes more time to be effective and the body absorbs the vaccine slowly compared to being administered in the deltoid region.

Now, here are few of my questions:

a) Out of 5 anti-rabies injections, my 2.7 years old son has been given 2 dosages. Should I give the remaining 3 dosage in the deltoid region?

b) Should I give him extra dosage after he completes his complete course of 5 injections? If yes, on what day after completion of his 5th dosage?

c) Should I start his vaccination from the beginning?

Please suggest what to do as I am very scared that my son will get rabies.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
XXXX

Hi,

Thank you for your reply. So, just to summarize the topic. The 2 anti-rabies injections given to my 2.7 years old son on his gluteal muscle means nothing and I have to start the vaccination from 1st injection. Am I correct? Also, can I start his 1st injection from today?

My second question is this: Will it be better for my son to be given anti-rabies injection on his deltoid region or it would be better for the vaccine to be administered at the anterolateral area of the thigh? I'm little confused about it considering his age (2.7 years). Which injection site would be more effective?

I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
XXXX

Thanks a ton for clarifying my doubts. Just one more query. Is it important that the vaccine that needs to be given to my son has to be administered by a pediatrician? The lady who will be giving my son the injection is in her final years of MBBS and practicing in a hospital. She has given him and me injections before, too.

It would be great if you could let me know if it is advisable for my son to be given injections by her or should I book an appointment with a registered nurse through Portea or other services?