# What would happen if pre-exposure rabies vaccine used after a rabid bite **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 11, 2017, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-pre-exposure-rabies-vaccine-used-after-a-rabid-bite/793337 "2017-08-11T15:09:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-pre-exposure-rabies-vaccine-used-after-a-rabid-bite/793337/1 "2017-08-11T15:09:59Z")
So this is a spinoff of the other dog-biting thread because it is a different question of its own: Out of curiosity, I wonder what would happen if someone got bitten by a rabid animal but did not get the proper _ **post** _-bite rabies regimen (which is one shot of rabies immunoglobin - RIG - immediately, followed by 5 shots of rabies vaccine over something like 0, 3, 7, 14 and 17 days). Rather, let’s say that due to some huge administrative mix-up or error, the bitten patient got the _ **pre** _-bite vaccine that vets, lab technicians, researchers get before going out into rabid areas of Africa. Which is 3 doses of rabies vaccine administered over days 0, 7, and 21. Would it do any good? AIUI three things would happen: 1. With no RIG, there would be nothing to kill off or counteract the existing rabies virus at the bite wound, at least not for a few days. 2. Given that the vaccine schedule is on a slower pace, the human body might fall behind in the “race” against rabies. 3. Since it’s 3 doses rather than 5, it might not pack as much punch against the rabies. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-pre-exposure-rabies-vaccine-used-after-a-rabid-bite/793337/2 "2017-08-11T18:05:49Z")
Seems they are the same thing mostly: > [@](#): > > A person who is exposed and has never been vaccinated against rabies should get four doses of rabies vaccine - one dose right away, and additional doses on the third, seventh and fourteenth days. They should also get another shot called Rabies Immune Globulin at the same time as the first dose. > > A person who has been previously vaccinated should get two doses of rabies vaccine - one right away and another on the third day. Rabies Immune Globulin is not needed. > > SOURCE: [https://www.vaccines.gov/diseases/rabies/index.html](https://www.vaccines.gov/diseases/rabies/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-pre-exposure-rabies-vaccine-used-after-a-rabid-bite/793337/3 "2017-08-11T20:17:41Z")
Where the bite is on the body might be a factor. Rabies has to travel up the nerves to get to the brain, as I understand it. Get bit on your ankle that’s going to take more time so a less than perfect post-bite treatment might not matter, your body will have time to respond. Get bit on your face the virus has a lot less distance to travel before hitting your brain so maybe the treatment there is more critical.