How Long Does Immunity Last After Receiving Rabies Vaccination?

Posted on Tue, 27 Sep 2016

Question: Hi Doctor,
I have received rabipur full course (5 doses; 0,3,7,14,28)) in 2011, 2012 (3 couses; 0,3,7) and in 2016 ( 3 courses;0,3,7), 15 days back (All three are not for bite, only for suspicion) . Now two days back I have touched something which was in a floor where road dogs sleep. I had a small cut in my hand. So this not a dog bite but do you think I need to take again a course of vaccination? I have just completed a course of rabipur only 15 days back.
Kindly help me.
Thanks in anticipation.in

Answered by Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Anti-rabies vaccination

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

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

You have already taken repeated courses of anti-rabies vaccination (last being merely 15 days back).You are fully protected against Rabies.Present exposure is also not due to dog bite. Rabies virus cannot live on the floor or inanimate objects as they are susceptible to drying .
You don't need any further Rabipur or anti-rabies vaccination.

Regards

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (30 hours later)

Hello Doctor,

I am extremely sorry for my late reply. Anyway thank you for your kind reply. It is definitely a relief. I forgot to mention that in 2015 I had one more course of rabipur.

So you see I have something OCD kind of thing regarding the dogs and cats and rats etc. In this regard would you kindly suggest me for how long I will be safe with these all vaccination? If it will be really an exposure then it will be wise to take a pre-immunized schedule of course but regarding these unnecessary cases I find myself helpless, all of my mental rationality goes down. Would you kindly suggest me regarding the issue?

Regards

Answered by Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Anti-rabies vaccination

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
After a course of Rabipur vaccination , experience shows that reinforcing doses of Rabies vaccination are generally required every 2-5 years.So it can be said that adequate immunity will last for 5 years following full course of vaccination.
In your case you have taken repeated courses since 2011.You will not need any booster dose for 5 years following last dose taken in 2015.

Some people get unnecessarily worked up out of sheer fear of Rabies. This fear of contracting rabies can be practically debilitating.You need to get out of the phobia of Rabies.
Remember vaccine or for that matter any medicine is to be taken ,only when it is clearly indicated.Leave the decision to the concerned specialist.

Regards

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (40 minutes later)

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your kind help. Now as I have taken last course few weeks back so till 2020 I do not need to take any other course. Thank you for your kind help. You are the best.

Regards
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Anti-rabies vaccination

Detailed Answer:
You are most welcome.
Regards

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

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar