Many patients, after being bitten by a dog suspected of having rabies, experience extreme anxiety, fear, and concern. So, when is the most appropriate time to get the rabies vaccine? What types of rabies vaccines are currently being used in Vietnam?
1. What is rabies? How dangerous is it?
Rabies is caused by a virus that is transmitted from animals to humans. There are two clinical forms of rabies:
- Furious rabies
- Paralytic (dumb) rabies
Among these, furious rabies is the most common. Rabies cases tend to increase during the summer. The rabies virus attacks the nervous system of mammals and is primarily transmitted through the saliva of infected animals via bites or scratches on the human body. The closer the bite is to the central nervous system, the faster the symptoms appear. In Southeast Asia, 96% of human rabies cases are caused by dog bites.
2. What should you do if you get bitten by a dog?
- If bitten by an animal, especially a dog showing signs of rabies, immediate first aid should be performed, and the patient should be taken to a medical facility.
- The wound should be washed immediately with soap and running water continuously for about 10–15 minutes. If soap is unavailable, rinse the wound thoroughly with clean running water for 15 minutes. This is the most effective first aid method to prevent rabies.
- If available, clean the wound with 70% alcohol or iodine solution.
- Take the patient to a medical facility as soon as possible for prompt treatment. The doctor will assess the patient’s condition and the biting animal to determine the appropriate emergency treatment.
3. Five rabies vaccines currently available in Vietnam.
The Drug Administration of Vietnam has stated that there are currently five rabies vaccines that have been registered for circulation and have either been imported or can be imported into Vietnam without requiring an import license. These include:
- Verorab (manufactured in France)
- Abhayrab (India)
- Indirab (India)
- Rabipur (India)
- Speeda
3.1. Verorab vaccine
Manufacturer: Sanofi Pasteur, France.
Indications:
Pre-exposure:
- Verorab is indicated for rabies prevention in high-risk individuals such as laboratory staff working in rabies diagnosis, research, and vaccine production. These individuals should undergo a diagnostic serology test every 6 months. If antibody levels are below 0.5 IU/ml, a booster dose is required.
- Other high-risk groups recommended for rabies vaccination include veterinarians, animal caretakers, hunters, forest rangers, slaughterhouse workers, cave researchers, and taxidermists.
- Travelers visiting or relocating to rabies-endemic areas are also advised to get vaccinated.
Post-exposure: As soon as exposure is confirmed or suspected, rabies vaccination should be administered immediately to minimize the risk of infection. The vaccination must be carried out at rabies treatment centers, with treatment decisions based on the condition of the animal and the type of wound.
Administration and Dosage:
- Intramuscular (IM): 0.5ml of reconstituted vaccine, injected into the deltoid muscle in adults or the anterolateral thigh in young children. Do not inject into the gluteal region.
- Intradermal (ID): 0.1ml of reconstituted vaccine (1/5 of the intramuscular dose).
Possible Adverse Effects:
- Local reactions: Swelling, pain, redness at the injection site.
- Systemic reactions: Headache, fatigue, chills, fever, joint pain, muscle pain, gastrointestinal disturbances.
- Rare: Anaphylactic shock.
3.2. Abhayrab
Manufacturer: Human Biological Institute, India.
Indications:
- Abhayrab provides active immunity against the rabies virus in both adults and children for both pre-exposure prophylaxis and post-exposure treatment (after contact with an infected or suspected rabid animal).
- Since rabies is a fatal disease, the vaccine has no age restrictions and can be administered to individuals of all ages.
- High-risk groups recommended for Abhayrab vaccination include veterinarians, healthcare workers, laboratory personnel, forest workers, zoo staff, butchers, hunters, and individuals who frequently interact with animals, such as pet owners.
Administration:
- Intramuscular (IM): Injected into the deltoid muscle in adults and the anterolateral thigh in young children. Do not inject into the gluteal region.
- Intradermal (ID): In some cases, the vaccine may be administered intradermally in the forearm or upper arm.
Possible Adverse Effects
- Local reactions: Pain, itching at the injection site.
- Systemic reactions (less common): Fever, dizziness, headache.
- Rare: Urticaria, anaphylactic shock.
3.3. Indirab
Manufacturer: Bharat Biotech International Limited, India.
Indirab is a purified inactivated rabies vaccine produced using Vero cell culture and is indicated for both pre-exposure prophylaxis and post-exposure treatment in individuals of all ages.
3.4. Rabipur
Manufacturer: Chiron Behring Vaccines Pvt. Ltd., India.
Generic name: PCEC Rabies Vaccine
- Rabipur is a purified chick embryo cell (PCEC) rabies vaccine for human use. It is a sterile, lyophilized vaccine produced by cultivating the inactivated Flury LEP strain of the rabies virus in primary chick embryo fibroblast cells. The lyophilized vaccine meets WHO safety and efficacy requirements.
- Rabipur is administered via intramuscular injection. The vaccine is pyrogen-free and does not contain adjuvants or preservatives.
3.5. Speeda
Manufacturer: Liaoning Chengda Biotechnology, China.
This vaccine continues to be manufactured and supplied to various countries, including Vietnam. Additionally, it is not associated with the previous vaccine scandal in China reported by the media, so patients can feel assured when receiving treatment.
To arrange an appointment, please call HOTLINE or make your reservation directly HERE. You may also download the MyVinmec app to schedule appointments faster and manage your reservations more conveniently.
