Rabies Vaccines and Preventive Care

Highly effective vaccines are available to protect individuals both before and after potential exposure to rabies. As of 2024, only three human rabies vaccines are pre-qualified by the World Health Organization (WHO):

  • RABIVAX-S – Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd.

  • VaxiRab N – Zydus Lifesciences Limited

  • VERORAB – Sanofi Pasteur

Pre-exposure vaccination is recommended for individuals at increased risk of rabies exposure, such as:

  • Laboratory personnel working with rabies or related viruses

  • Animal control staff, veterinarians, and wildlife rangers

  • Travellers or residents in areas with high rabies rates and limited access to emergency care

PrEP provides protection but does not eliminate the need for post-exposure treatment (PEP) in case of an actual bite or scratch from a potentially infected animal (World Health Organization: WHO, 2024).

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)

PEP is a life-saving emergency treatment given after a possible rabies exposure to prevent the virus from reaching the brain. A proper PEP protocol includes:

  • Immediate wound cleaning: Wash the bite or scratch thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes

  • Vaccination: A series of rabies vaccine doses

  • Rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) or monoclonal antibodies, when required, injected directly into the wound

Prompt medical care is essential after any suspected exposure, even if the person received PrEP (World Health Organization: WHO, 2024).