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Immunizations - travel vaccinations - Management
What schedule is used for rabies vaccine (pre-exposure)?
- A primary course of immunization should be completed prior to departure.
Table 1. Schedule for rabies (pre-exposure) vaccination.
Vaccine | Schedule | Length of protection | Age range |
|---|
Rabies Vaccine BP | 3 doses: Day 0, 7, and 28. | Booster dose every 2–3 years if at continued risk. | No minimum age stated in SPC. However, vaccine should be considered for children from the age of approximately 1 year. |
2 doses, given at least 4 weeks apart, are likely to confer protection.* | Booster dose at 6 months if required. |
Rabipur® | 3 doses: Day 0, 7, and 21 or 28. | Booster doses every 2–5 years if at continued risk. | Can be given from any age. |
* The two dose schedule is suggested as an option in this vaccine datasheet, but is omitted in the Department of Health recommendations. Persons who have not had a three dose of a pre exposure schedule should be treated as unvaccinated if presenting for post exposure treatment. |
In depth
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