Rabies vaccinations for humans

Hello Everyone,

I’m just wondering can people in high risk occupations get vaccinated against rabies? People that say remove bats?

Yes. The Imovax shot is used both for those who have been bitten and people who work in high-risk occupations like veterinarians, animal control personnel, etc. Your doctor’s office probably doesn’t stock it, but they can write a prescription and a pharmacy can order it.

Yes it’s recommended to do so.

According to this 2000 SD Advisory Board column, some people do. Why do dogs get vaccinated against rabies but not people? - The Straight Dope

For a while I was on loan to another LE agency for a dignitary detail. During that time we went to several foreign countries where inoculations were required. Rabies wasn’t required but recommended.

Yes.

I used to work with a man who was about to start veterinary school, and he had to get vaxed for rabies before enrolling. He needed a few other exotic vaxes too, although IDR right now what they were.

For example, here are the requirements for one school, on top of the standard vaccines.

http://shcc.ufl.edu/services/primary-care/immunizations/veterinary-medicine-students/

Are you allowed to say what countries those were for which a rabies vaccine was recommended? I’m really curious.

We were advised to get it regardless of where we were going, but we were strongly advised to get it when we went to India and Central American/Caribbean countries.

We’re going to Belize on Friday for 10 days with some friends, but for pleasure not work. AFAIK none of us have gotten inoculated against rabies for the trip.

I got a rabies vaccination when I thought I was going to be going to Iraq a few years ago.

The CDC site just says risk is high in countries where little is spent on public health. The UK government has a detailed list showing risk per country. Rabies vaccine seems a good idea for travelers going off the beaten track.