Rabies Prevention: Why the vaccine is not enough, you also need immunoglobulin
Anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) trains the body to produce antibodies, but this protective response may take 7–14 days to develop. This delay creates a dangerous window in which the virus can spread. This is the place where rabies comes to immunoglobulin (rig).
Many people go to the nearest chemist and ask for rabies vaccine after a stray dog bite or scratch. But doctors warned that this approach could be dangerously incomplete. Along with the vaccine, rabies immunoglobulin (rig) is also necessary, yet is deemed and poor. Once in contact with a rabil animal, one should go to the emergency department of his nearest hospital.
How important is vaccination after cutting?
Rabies Lisvirus is caused by a virus from the genus that attacks the brain and nerves. Once symptoms appear, such as fever, anxiety, confusion, difficulty swallowing, or hallucinations, the disease is almost always fatal.
This is why treatment should begin immediately after a bite or scratch. Washing the wound with soap and water for at least 15 minutes is the first step, followed by immediate medical care.
Dr. Anurag Agarwal, Director and HOD, Emergency Medicine and Trauma, Fortis Hospital, Noida, explain: “We still see patients who come late, or do not complete their vaccine schedule. It is highly risky, because even a missed dose can mean difference between life and death.”
According to the US-based Center for Disease Control (CDC), once the virus reaches the brain and clinical symptoms are revealed, such as hydrobia (fear of water), publishes, muscle cramps and paralysis, death is almost certain.
Vaccine vs. Immunoglobulin: What is the difference?
Anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) trains the body to produce antibodies, but this protective response may take 7–14 days to develop. This delay creates a dangerous window in which the virus can spread.
This is the place where rabies comes to immunoglobulin (rig). Unlike the vaccine, the rig provides immediate, ready-made antibodies that properly neutralize the virus at the wound site.
“Immunoglobulin provides immediate protection for those who have not been immunized against rabies in the past, while the body’s immune system responds,” Dr. Sankate Mankad, infectious Disease Advisor, Shalby Hospitals, Ahmedabad.
In short: The vaccine provides long -term immunity, while Rig purchases time by offering immediate defense.
Rabies is almost always fatal, but it can be stopped if treatment is correct. The vaccine should be taken as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours, and all doses should be completed by doctors as per advice.
Do all scratches or licks require shots?
Not every exposure is equally risky. World Health Organization divides Rabies Exposure into three categories:
Category I: Touching or feeding animals, or licking on the intact skin – no treatment is required.
Category II: Minor scratches or friction without bleeding – Rabies vaccine is needed.
Category III: Deep bites, contamination of several wounds, or mucous membrane – vaccine + rig required.
Deep bites on the face, head or neck are particularly dangerous because the virus can reach the brain rapidly.
Do you still need rig if the first vaccine is vaccinated?
If someone has already completed a full rabies vaccination course in the past (often 4-5 doses), they usually do not require rigs after another bite. Instead, they are given two boosters of vaccine.
Rig is mainly reserved for those who have never been vaccinated before, because there is no current memory of the virus in their body.
Hospitals in India have several rabies vaccines, including: Human Duality Cell Vaccine (HDCV), Pure Weir Cell Rabies Vaccine (PVRV), Pure Fetal Cell Vaccine (PCECV), INDERAB (Vero Cell-based post-bite), and Rabyx-S-S-S-S-S-Saxarb, Vacuxyb, Vacuxyb
Here is a guide for the administration of immunoglobulin after vaccination dosage and contact with a crazy animal:
What are side effects?
The rabies vaccine is usually safe, with mild side effects such as pain on the injection site, fatigue, or low-grain fever.
Rig can sometimes cause allergic reactions, but doctors insist that these risk are much smaller than the risk of untreated rabies.
Why immunoglobulin matters
Despite India’s reducing the death of rabies by 75%, around 5,700 people still die annually. Many cases are related to missing or delay. The government is aimed at zero rabies deaths by 2030, plans to expand access to both vaccines and new monoclonal antibodies.
Since dog bites are common, experts urge the public to stop the treatment of rabies shots as a casual chemist purchasing.
Rabies is 100% stopping, but only if both parts of treatment – vaccine and immunoglobulin – are taken seriously.
