Can I still get rabies after multiple vaccine courses?

Question

Hi doctor,

I had five doses of rabies vaccine along with rabies immunoglobulin before two years. A month later again, I was bitten by a dog and took three doses of rabies vaccine. Then after a year when I was bitten by a dog, I had two doses of vaccine. Now, again, I was bitten by a stray dog and took two rabies doses. Still, is there a possibility to get rabies?

Kindly assist.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

The antirabies vaccine is usually protective for two years, and the antibodies from the first dose would have been at a protective level for you. This does not mean that the antibodies will go down after two years, but it only might go down.

However, since you took two doses last year, that might have given continued protection till now. Therefore, if you took another two doses of the rabies vaccine now, then it will help for the next two years at least, and you will not get rabies.

I hope this has helped you.

Thank you.