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Can A Rabies Pre-exposure Vaccination Course Be Stopped Abrubptly?
Hi
I am going to Colombia in less than 4 weeks. I saw my nurse today who said I needed to take the Rabies vaccination course. As time is limited she suggested I start today. I agreed but later loooked in more detail about the disease, my destination and other risk factors. I believe I don't need it and am concerned that I need to finish a course which is not only expensive but unnecessary for my body. Is it advisable to stop the pre-exposure course?
I am going to Colombia in less than 4 weeks. I saw my nurse today who said I needed to take the Rabies vaccination course. As time is limited she suggested I start today. I agreed but later loooked in more detail about the disease, my destination and other risk factors. I believe I don't need it and am concerned that I need to finish a course which is not only expensive but unnecessary for my body. Is it advisable to stop the pre-exposure course?
Thu, 8 Mar 2018
Hello,
There are two rules for this:
1. Rule of thumb states that if a person is/are exposed to rabid animals like Veterinary Doctors and other workers, forestry workers, workers in slaughter houses, research workers, or rural postmen, then they must take the prophylactic vaccine [rabies vaccination] on days 0, 7, 21, 1 year, then every 3 years.
2. Since you are traveling, thus apart from anti-rabies vaccination, certain vaccinations which are necessary:
- Yellow fever vaccine
- Typhoid and Cholera Vaccine
- Meningococcal vaccine
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Munish Sood
There are two rules for this:
1. Rule of thumb states that if a person is/are exposed to rabid animals like Veterinary Doctors and other workers, forestry workers, workers in slaughter houses, research workers, or rural postmen, then they must take the prophylactic vaccine [rabies vaccination] on days 0, 7, 21, 1 year, then every 3 years.
2. Since you are traveling, thus apart from anti-rabies vaccination, certain vaccinations which are necessary:
- Yellow fever vaccine
- Typhoid and Cholera Vaccine
- Meningococcal vaccine
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Munish Sood
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