Is Repetition Of Anti-rabies Vaccination Required For A Dog Scratch After 1 Year?

Posted on Wed, 18 May 2016

Question: Hi, i have undergone complete anti rabies vaccine in 2012 (5 doses) and then in 2015 i had 2 booster shots, 1 month back one street dog came and smelled my pant, i am pretty sure that there was no bite or tickling, but in case if there was any minor one does my last year anti dose still resists.

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (1 hour later)

Brief answer....it is better to be on safe side by getting booster injections
Dtailed answer....
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
I have read your query and understand your concern.
Although event took place a month ago and there is no surety regarding the bite,it would be prudent to get two booster doses of anti rabies vaccine 0 day and 3 day,to be on safe side and have peace.
A mental peace is much more important than anything else.
It is not sure whether you have enough antibodies in your body at the moment,however you can get the blood examined to know the exact status of your immunity to rabies by getting the rabies antibody titre test.
A rabies antibody titer is essentially an estimation of an immune response against rabies virus (either through exposure or vaccination). The RFFIT is one method which provides a laboratory measurement of the ability of an individual human or animal serum sample to neutralize rabies virus.
if REFIT test shows that you have enough antibodies against rabies,then you may not need any more vaccination but this test is not available everywhere,hence you must get yourself vaccinated.
I hope it helps,however you are most welcome to revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar