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Anti Rabies Vaccination
I took my full 4 dose Anti Rabies Vaccination course as follows:-
Day 0 - 4/11/2025
Day 3 - 7/11/2025
Day 7 - 11/11/2025
Day 28 - 2/12/2025
So a few days later my pet vaccinated dog scratched me again and it bled a little. After consultation,I took the 2 booster doses as follows:-
Day 0 - 9/12/2025
Day 3 - 12/12/2025
But on 12/12/2025 i.e the day my booster dose course was completed, my pet vaccinated dog out of excitement bit my leg near the calf and it bled a little. Immediately now I have washed it with soap and water for 15 minutes and put the antibacterial ointment again. I have attached the photo where I was bit and the skin is pink and visible.
Now I have just completed my 2 dose booster course today itself and as I was bitten again the same day, do I need to take additional Anti Rabies Vaccination course again now?
Please help.
Answers (18)
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No need of any vaccination
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Who suggested such type regime?
First is good? Why u go for two booster dose? As u r under vaccine already.
Than pet vaccinated u again go for booster dose which is not required.
A pet when vaccinated in front of our eye most of the time no one need vaccine for such a small scratch?
Why Don't you take pet for pedicure in regular interval?
U don't need any vaccine now . U r safe.
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No need for the vaccination now.
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2.3 Management of re-exposure in previously vaccinated individuals
Priming of immune system and the development of immunological memory after complete pre-exposure vaccination or post-exposure vaccination with potent cell culture vaccines is an important factor in the establishment of long lasting immunity against rabies.
Several studies have indicated that persons who have previously received complete pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis will elicit an anamnestic response to one or more booster doses of rabies vaccine even if the initial series of vaccination was administered several years previously. This response will occur whether:
• the initial vaccination regimen was administered IM or ID;
the booster dose is given IM or ID
the previously vaccinated person has detectable rabies virus neutralizing antibodies or not.
******Based on the above if re-exposed persons who have previously received and documented full pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis (either by IM or ID route) with a cell-culture vaccine or PDEV should now be given only two booster doses intramuscularly (0.5ml/1ml) or CCVs intra-dermally (0.1 ml at 1 site) on days 0 and 3. Proper wound toilet should be done. Treatment with RIG is not required.********
Persons who have previously received full post-exposure treatment with NTV or vaccine of unproven potency or cannot document previous pre- or post-exposure treatment should be treated as fresh case and given treatment as per merits of the case.
22
National Guidelines on Rabies Prophylaxis
Next Steps
See above with ******
Health Tips
All the best
J G S R clinic
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Within 3 months of completion of a course you basically didn't need vaccination for those scratches.
Please do vaccinate your dog too.
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Based on the history you have provided, no additional anti-rabies vaccination is required at this point.
You have already completed a full 4-dose post-exposure rabies vaccination schedule, followed by the recommended 2-dose booster schedule (day 0 and day 3) after a subsequent exposure. The bite that occurred on 12/12/2025, which is the same day you completed the booster course, happened when your immune system was already adequately primed and protected. Protective rabies antibodies do not suddenly disappear within hours, and booster doses are given precisely to ensure rapid and strong immune protection during repeated exposures. Additionally, the dog involved is a pet and vaccinated, which further reduces risk significantly. You have also done the correct and most important first step by washing the wound thoroughly with soap and water for 15 minutes.
Therefore, as per standard rabies prophylaxis guidelines, no further vaccine doses or RIG are indicated for this exposure. Continue routine wound care and observe the dog for 10 days as a precaution. If the dog remains healthy, that further confirms there is no rabies risk. There is no cause for anxiety regarding rabies from this incident, and you are considered adequately protected.
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No, you do NOT need to take any additional anti-rabies vaccine doses now.
Next Steps
What is recommended now
• No more rabies vaccine
• No rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) (never needed in previously vaccinated persons)
• Continue local wound care
• Observe the dog for 10 days
• If the dog remains healthy → rabies is ruled out
Health Tips
Only consult again if:
• The dog becomes sick, aggressive, or dies within 10 days
• The wound shows signs of infection (increasing redness, pus, fever)
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No need additional dose ,you are safe .
Next Steps
keep wound clean and maintain hygiene environment and use a antibiotic ointment for further infection.
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You have already completed the full 4-dose ARV schedule and also received the 2-dose booster (Day 0 & Day 3). A new bite on the same day does NOT require restarting vaccination. You are adequately protected. No additional ARV doses are needed now.
Next Steps
• Keep the wound clean with soap and water.
• Apply an antibiotic ointment.
• Observe the vaccinated dog for normal behaviour for 10 days.
• No further rabies vaccine required unless advised otherwise.
Health Tips
• Avoid provoking the pet and keep nails trimmed.
• Seek medical care if redness, swelling or discharge increases.
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Dr. Sajid Ali
General Practitioner
4 yrs exp
Kanpur
No need of vaccination
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Dr. Chaithra H
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Bangalore
Do consult
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Dr. Vetsa Sri Krishna Chaitanya
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rajahmundry
Need a few more details please consult for further evaluation
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Dr. Suraj Sharma
General Practitioner
4 yrs exp
Jaipur
Need
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Dr. Anuj Mothsra
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhunjhunu
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
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Dr. Gaurav Jaiswal
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhansi
Avoid fried and spicy food
Water intake more
Do connect and consult
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Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.