Is a rabies vaccination useful for humans?
The rabies vaccination is not one of the generally recommended vaccinations. Under certain conditions, vaccination against rabies is useful or even life-saving for humans. There are basically two types of vaccination against rabies. Active immunization aims to provide preventive protection against the disease, while passive rabies vaccination is intended to prevent the outbreak of the deadly disease after a possible infection.
What are the side effects of the rabies vaccine?
The rabies vaccine is normally well tolerated. However, side effects after the rabies vaccination are possible – as after any other vaccination. These include mild reactions at the injection site (such as redness, pain) and mild general reactions such as fatigue, headaches, gastrointestinal complaints or an increase in body temperature. An allergic shock is a rare side effect after a rabies vaccination.
Types of rabies vaccination
Rabies is caused by an infection with the Lyssa virus. The pathogen is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected animal (dog, fox, vampire bat and others). When the disease breaks out, it is almost always fatal.
Preventive rabies vaccination: How often should I be vaccinated?
Vaccination prophylaxis against rabies is recommended in this country for people who have close contact with bats for professional or other reasons. Laboratory staff who work with rabies viruses should also be vaccinated as a preventative measure. The same applies to people traveling to countries where rabies is widespread.
The preventive (prophylactic) rabies vaccination contains attenuated rabies pathogens. It causes the body to build up specific antibodies against the pathogen and thus provide reliable self-protection. This requires a total of three doses of vaccine – the second dose is given seven days after the first and the third dose 21 to 28 days after the first. There is no need to observe time intervals to other vaccinations.
Good vaccination protection is established around 14 days after the last injection. It is very reliable. People who are permanently exposed to the risk of rabies require a booster vaccination one year after the basic immunization. Depending on the vaccine used, this is followed by a booster every two to five years.
For people with a particularly high risk of infection (such as laboratory staff or vaccinated persons with an immune deficiency), the success of the vaccination can be checked by means of an antibody test.
Subsequent rabies vaccination
The first thing to do after being bitten by an animal suspected of having rabies is to thoroughly rinse and disinfect the wound immediately. In this way, some of the pathogens can be rendered harmless. A doctor must then be consulted as soon as possible.
The subsequent rabies vaccination is a passive immunization: the doctor injects ready-made antibodies against the rabies virus (rabies hyperimmunoglobulin) directly into the entry site of the pathogen (e.g. into the muscles in and around the bite wound). They combat the rabies virus without any time delay. The subsequent rabies immunization consists of four to five vaccine doses, which are administered at certain intervals depending on the vaccination schedule.
In addition, the patient receives the “normal” rabies vaccination described above (active immunization), which stimulates the body to produce its own antibodies.
Who pays for a rabies vaccination?
Whether and in which case the health insurance company covers the costs of a preventive rabies vaccination varies between health insurance companies. In the case of a subsequent vaccination, the costs are normally reimbursed by the statutory health insurance company. It is advisable for travelers to find out about cost coverage before starting their journey.
Avoid rabies infection
Sensitize your children to the topic of rabies. Explain to them that they should keep their distance from wild animals and never touch dead animals. If it does happen, a rabies vaccination should be administered as soon as possible.
