What Are The Repercussion Of Delaying 4th Rabipur Vaccine By 14 Days?

Posted on Wed, 6 Jan 2016

Question: Dear Doctor,

I am 45 yrs old male. I had a very low risk of rabies non bite & non scratch exposure. However, my doctor still advised to go for 5 dose Rabipur vaccine to be 100% safe. I have already completed 0 3 7 injections. Can I take the next one on day 21 and short close the course or should I go for full course, although there are no side effects. Thanks to advise.

Answered by Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Post-exposure rabies prophylaxis

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.

The post-exposure prophylaxis consists of purified inactivated rabies vaccines e.g Inj Rabipur on days 0,3,7 and 14; a fifth dose on day 28 is no longer recommended.
Even a scratch or abrasion ,lick on broken skin.contaminated with saliva can transmit the virus from infected animal.

4th dose has to be taken on day 14 to boost up the immunity conferred by the earlier 3 doses as Rabies virus immunogenecity is low and has to be given repeated doses in prescribed sequence only,to have adequate neutralizing antibody titre. It should not be delayed .
The aim is to neutralize inoculated virus before it can enter the nervous system.
If there is any doubt the patient should be given full post-exposure prophylaxis,as rightly advised by your doctor.

Regards

Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX

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