Rabies Vaccinations, length of immunity for people

Re: Rabies Vaccinations, length of immunity for people

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 01:01:04 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"] I bought it from a pharmacy and I got one of my nurses to inject me - only one was brave enough to do it![/quote]

Wimp. When I needed post exposure prophylaxis we got the vaccine from a pharmacy – it came nicely packed complete with syringe, needle and swab, and the five doses were done up with a cool pack – and I injected myself.

It was Rabipur and astonishingly cheap.

Re: Rabies Vaccinations, length of immunity for people

Martin Atkinson — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 18:25:34 GMT

I had a free rabies vaccine course circa 1980 and had an antibody titre taken as it was part of a clinical trial. I then had a course 8 years ago prior to travelling to Africa but it was only a course of 2 vaccines two weeks apart. The GP gave me a private script and I bought it from a pharmacy and I got one of my nurses to inject me - only one was brave enough to do it! If I went back to a rabies endemic area I would probably now have a booster.

Re: Rabies Vaccinations, length of immunity for people

Stigen — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 10:08:12 GMT

I did the rabies vaccines through the NHS in Uk. They would`nt cover it, but they told me the reccomended regime. I went to the pharmacy and bought the vaccines myself(expensive). Then I got the injections and the signed vaccination Cards at the hospital. The inital course was 3 injections every 2 weeks. Then after one year I had a repeat injections, and was told that now I should be ok for the NeXT 10 years. that was about 2 years ago, so I figure I should be ok now for the NeXT 8 years...although I might get a booster anyways if I plan to go anywhere to work in rabies infested areas.

Re: Rabies Vaccinations, length of immunity for people

David Mills — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 09:50:34 GMT

Booster every 3-5 years is considered normal. Have done quite a bit of work in Africa so try to keep to every 3 years. Had initial course at Uni for free. There are other factual inaccuracies. All the vaccine does is buy you time to get to a hospital- an extra 48h (24h if not vaccinated). Don't understand the quicker part. Most hospitals will simply give you the serum immunoglobulin if you've been bitten regardless of vaccine status. Technically you can have 2 further vaccine jabs after contact but I've not heard of this being done. It's readily available in most countries where rabies is an issue. Usual problems with blood products- using private clinics is the best option. Travel insurance will only cover if you're not specifically working with animals, otherwise will need special working with animals insurance. Washing/irrigating the area for 10 minutes with virucidal solution is possibly the most effective prophylaxis following a bite.

Re: Rabies Vaccinations, length of immunity for people

Stephen Courtney — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 22:19:27 GMT

When I did quarantine work i used to get a top up booster every 3 years, but to be honest no one seemed to know what the correct frequency was..

Given that i did vet school in Africa, had several vaccines under my belt including a post exposure course ( handled an animal that turned out to be rabid, including examining the mouth without gloves) before i came to the UK, I felt this was more than enough.

we had one scare in quarantine that turned out to not be rabies, but in the initial stages all staff who handled that animal ( which did include a nip or two) got a top up vaccine before we got the all clear.