Request for Follow-Up on Rabies Vaccination - #15582
On November 5, I was accidentally scratched by my dog, who had not been vaccinated. I received the first dose of the rabies vaccine on November 7. The second dose was scheduled for November 11, but unfortunately, I was unable to follow up due to financial constraints. On November 14, I sustained minor scratches on my hand from a newborn kitten that came from a stray cat. I would like to resume my rabies vaccination and receive the second dose tomorrow, November 18. As the course requires a total of three doses, I would like to ask if it is possible to extend or adjust the vaccination schedule due to this recent incident. Thank you very much for your guidance.
100% Anonymously
No sign-up needed.
Doctors’ responses
Hello Christia By going through your history and evaluation of your health status I must say that - 1. Resume the Vaccination: You can definitely get your second dose of the rabies vaccine tomorrow, November 18. It’s crucial to continue the series as soon as possible after any potential exposure. 2. Adjusting the Schedule:The rabies vaccination schedule can be adjusted if needed. After your second dose, you should still receive the third dose, typically within 21 to 28 days from the first dose. 3. Monitor for Symptoms: Keep an eye on any unusual symptoms from the scratches, like redness, swelling, or fever. If you notice anything concerning, seek medical attention.
It’s really important to stay on top of rabies vaccinations, especially after potential exposure. Since you were scratched by a dog that wasn’t vaccinated and then had another incident with a kitten, it’s good that you’re considering resuming your vaccination.
Thank you
You do NOT restart the series.
You just continue from the point you stopped. 2. New scratch from kitten means you MUST complete the series. Kittens from stray mothers are considered high-risk. 3. If the scratches broke skin, washing the wound with soap + water for 15 mins is essential. 4. If wounds were deep or near face, or if first exposure was severe → Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) may be advised.
Yes — you can continue the rabies vaccination, and your schedule can be adjusted safely.
Since you took Dose 1 on November 7, taking Dose 2 on November 18 is still acceptable, because delayed doses should be given as soon as possible, not restarted. After that, you should take Dose 3 one week after Dose 2 (around November 25), and this will complete your protection.
Your new kitten scratch is also considered a fresh exposure, so continuing the vaccination is correct. For safety, please consult a local doctor or your vaccination center, who will confirm the adjusted schedule and check the wounds.
Hello Christia,
If someone misses a scheduled rabies vaccine dose, the usual approach is to give the missed dose as soon as possible and continue the series.
The rabies vaccine schedule is fairly flexible, and short delays do not usually require restarting the entire series. But , in your case; 🛑Your scratch from a newborn kitten from a stray mother could be considered a higher-risk situation, because the animal’s rabies status is unknown and cannot be observed.
So have to determine if you still need RIG,which is time sensitive.
The decision depends on your wound type, timing, and the animals involved
This cannot be safely answered without an in-person evaluation.
🛑 Extending is sometimes okay, but not always, Need in person consultation for your case. For that please consult a physician or ER immediately.
I trust this helps 🛑Please dont delay the treatment Thank you
Hello dear See if the dog was vaccinated then a delay can be taken Additionally if you have already taken tetanus shot then you are on the safer side In both the above cases, you can delay the second dose to maximum 1 week but it has to be completed first since after first dose, already immunity has started to develop. But for sustainable immunity, vaccination need to be completed So in summary I can say you can delay but not max 1 week ,subject to conditions of you have taken tetanus shot Hopefully iam clear with your query Regards
Hello Christia, thank you for sharing your concern. It’s very important for you to take the rabies vaccine, as Rabies is a very dangerous disease.
No need to start the vaccination from zero. Get your missed dose as soon as possible. And the next dose will be according to your first dose. So whatever date is given by your doctor for the third dose, take your third dose on that day.
Feel free to reach out again.
Regards, Dr. Nirav Jain MBBS, DNB D.Fam.Med
When it comes to your situation with rabies vaccination, sticking to the schedule is key for ensuring the vaccine’s effectiveness. The advisory you’ve been following seems to be aligned with the post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) regimen for previously unvaccinated individuals, which typically includes doses on days 0, 3, 7, and 14. Missing your day 3 shot (scheduled on November 11) isn’t ideal but not uncommon; it’s good you’re looking to get back on track. Since your missed dose was scheduled for November 11, and you now plan to get it on November 18, it’s essential to first consult a healthcare provider as dosing might need modifying based on the delay and your recent exposure to the kitten. They may suggest picking up with the second dose as soon as possible and then follow with subsequent doses without further delay. For now, it’s crucial to get the next available dose. If you can, explain the entire sequence to the healthcare provider; they will assess the best catch-up plan for you. Rabies is a serious concern especially if the animal’s vaccination status is unknown, so ensuring the completion of the full vaccination course is paramount. Always check back with medical professionals to monitor for any new symptoms or reactions during the course, but don’t wait to reinitiate the process.
100% Anonymously
Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential. No sign-up needed.
About our doctors
Only qualified doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.
