HomeAnswersNeurologyrabies vaccineI was bitten by a dog. Should I take all anti-rabies shots?

Kindly explain me about antirabies vaccine.

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At May 20, 2016
Reviewed AtJanuary 17, 2024

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I was bitten by a dog 10 days ago and got my first anti rabies vaccine the next day. Also I got the second and third dose with a gap of three days, respectively. The wound was quite deep and the dog was unknown and untraceable. Everyone guiding me to take complete course of anti rabies vaccine. My doctor said that three anti rabies vaccine shots are enough. He said that these are different from the anti rabies vaccine available in private. Do I need to take another two shots of anti rabies vaccine in private? Please suggest Thanks.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com. I am sorry for the dog bite. But, I am glad that you have taken the correct schedule of vaccines till now. Basically there are two types of anti rabies vaccines. 1. Neural tissue vaccine. 2. Tissue culture vaccine. Of these neural tissue vaccines is given in the anterior abdominal wall around the umbilicus for 14 days. Beta-Propiolactone belongs to this category. The tissue culture vaccine are given in the deltoid, outer aspect of your arm, in the regimental badge area on 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days. It is not common for them to give beta propiolactone (BPL) vaccine in your arms on 0, 3 and 7 days. If you have got your shots in your arm, then it is tissue culture vaccine. There are five types of tissue culture vaccines (TCV). 1. HDCV - human diploid cell culture rabies vaccine, the most expensive TCV per dose. 2. Rabipur (PCEC - purified chick embryo cell vaccine). 3. Verorab (PVRV - purified Vero cell rabies vaccine), dose of 0.5 mL. 4. Verovax-R (PVRV), dose of 0.5 mL. 5. Abhayrab (PVRV). The good news is that All TCVs that is HDCV, PVRV AND PCEC are freely interchangeable. So, if you had got your previous three injections in your arm, then,please go and get two more injections of tissue culture vaccine on day 14 and day 28 in private.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I got all my shots on my shoulders and thanks for briefing this information for the patient. Thank you so much for understanding the concern of the people like me. Please guide me too.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com. Since you have got the three shots in the shoulder, it is definitely a tissue culture vaccine. So, you need to take two more doses of the tissue culture vaccine on 14th day and 28th day. Your option is to take that in private on 14th day and 28th day and also you can take any of these types (HDCV, PVRV AND PCEC) on 14th day and 28th day. You need to locate a doctor near your home who does vaccinations. Tell him that you may need two doses of tissue culture vaccines on the particular day. Even if he does not have stock, he will get it and keep it ready. Once you have taken all the five doses, you can forget this dog bite.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. J. Mariano Anto Bruno Mascarenhas
Dr. J. Mariano Anto Bruno Mascarenhas

Neurosurgery

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