# Rabies vaccinations for humans **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 16, 2016, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rabies-vaccinations-for-humans/772130 "2016-11-16T04:17:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rabies-vaccinations-for-humans/772130/1 "2016-11-16T04:17:25Z")
Hello Everyone, I’m just wondering can people in high risk occupations get vaccinated against rabies? People that say remove bats? ---
**Author:** ![slash2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@slash2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slash2k)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rabies-vaccinations-for-humans/772130/2 "2016-11-16T04:26:23Z")
Yes. The [Imovax](http://www.rxlist.com/imovax-drug/patient-images-side-effects.htm) 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. ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rabies-vaccinations-for-humans/772130/3 "2016-11-16T04:26:27Z")
> [@obbn](#): > > Hello Everyone, > > I’m just wondering can people in high risk occupations get vaccinated against rabies? People that say remove bats? Yes it’s recommended to do so. > **[Rabies Vaccine Information Statement | CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/rabies.html)** > > Rabies Vaccine Information Statement > [@](#): > > Who should get rabies vaccine and when? > Preventive vaccination (no exposure) > > People at high risk of exposure to rabies, such as veterinarians, animal handlers, rabies laboratory workers, spelunkers, and rabies biologics production workers should be offered rabies vaccine. > The vaccine should also be considered for: > People whose activities bring them into frequent contact with rabies virus or with possibly rabid animals. > International travelers who are likely to come in contact with animals in parts of the world where rabies is common. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rabies-vaccinations-for-humans/772130/4 "2016-11-16T04:28:33Z")
According to this 2000 SD Advisory Board column, some people do. [Why do dogs get vaccinated against rabies but not people? - The Straight Dope](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1730/why-do-dogs-get-vaccinated-against-rabies-but-not-people) ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rabies-vaccinations-for-humans/772130/5 "2016-11-16T05:23:28Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rabies-vaccinations-for-humans/772130/6 "2016-11-16T05:31:27Z")
> [@obbn](#): > > Hello Everyone, > > I’m just wondering can people in high risk occupations get vaccinated against rabies? People that say remove bats? 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. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rabies-vaccinations-for-humans/772130/7 "2016-11-16T05:40:30Z")
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/](http://shcc.ufl.edu/services/primary-care/immunizations/veterinary-medicine-students/) ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rabies-vaccinations-for-humans/772130/8 "2016-11-16T05:41:48Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > 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. Are you allowed to say what countries those were for which a rabies vaccine was recommended? I’m really curious. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rabies-vaccinations-for-humans/772130/9 "2016-11-16T08:23:08Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2016, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rabies-vaccinations-for-humans/772130/10 "2016-11-18T00:21:33Z")
I got a rabies vaccination when I thought I was going to be going to Iraq a few years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2016, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rabies-vaccinations-for-humans/772130/11 "2016-11-18T07:12:02Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Are you allowed to say what countries those were for which a rabies vaccine was recommended? I’m really curious. The [CDC site](http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/location/world/index.html) just says risk is high in countries where little is spent on public health. The UK government has a [detailed list](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rabies-risks-by-country/rabies-risks-in-terrestrial-animals-by-country) showing risk per country. Rabies vaccine seems a good idea for travelers going off the beaten track.