Rabies vaccine
Rabies vaccine · IAP (PEP/PrEP)
| When to give | Any age. Post-exposure (PEP) after animal bite; pre-exposure (PrEP) for high-risk. |
|---|---|
| Dose | Cell-culture vaccine, ≥2.5 IU per dose. IM regimen: 1 mL (whole vial) per site. ID regimen: 0.1 mL per site. ThRabies (recombinant nanoparticle, >18 yr): 0.5 mL. |
| Route | Intramuscular or Intradermal |
| Site | Deltoid (adult) / anterolateral thigh (child) — NEVER gluteal |
| Schedule / interval | IAP-ACVIP 2025 PEP: 5-dose IM (NCDC/Thai Red Cross), days 0, 3, 7, 14, 28 + RIG/RMAb per bite category. Alternatives — WHO IM Essen: 0,3,7,14(±28); Zagreb 2-1-1: 0,7,21; ID Updated Thai (2-site): 0,3,7,28. PrEP: days 0,7,21/28. |
Catch-up schedule
PEP cannot be delayed — start immediately after Category II/III exposure regardless of age. For Category III, add rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) or rabies monoclonal antibody (RMAb).
Adverse events (AEFI)
Local pain/redness; mild fever, headache, myalgia. 100% seroprotective titres (>0.5 IU).
Brands available in India
Vaccines: Chirorab, Rabivax-S (Vero-cell), Vaxirab (Vero-cell), AbhayRab, IndiRab (Vero-cell), Berab (Vero-cell), ThRabies (recombinant). RIG — HRIG: Kamrab, Berirab (20 IU/kg, max 1,500 IU); ERIG: Equirab (40 IU/kg, max 3,000 IU); RMAb: Rabishield & Twinrab (3.33 & 40 IU/kg).
Special considerations
2025 UPDATE — IAP-ACVIP now aligns with NCDC on a 5-dose IM schedule (days 0,3,7,14,28) as a safety-first approach. NEVER give in the gluteal region. Category III bites need RIG/RMAb infiltrated into and around the wound(s); no need to give remaining RIG volume IM. Store 2–8°C.
Common questions
When is the Rabies vaccine given?
Any age. Post-exposure (PEP) after animal bite; pre-exposure (PrEP) for high-risk.
What is the Rabies vaccine dose and route?
Cell-culture vaccine, ≥2.5 IU per dose. IM regimen: 1 mL (whole vial) per site. ID regimen: 0.1 mL per site. ThRabies (recombinant nanoparticle, >18 yr): 0.5 mL. Route: Intramuscular or Intradermal. Site: Deltoid (adult) / anterolateral thigh (child) — NEVER gluteal.
Can the Rabies vaccine be given late?
PEP cannot be delayed — start immediately after Category II/III exposure regardless of age. For Category III, add rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) or rabies monoclonal antibody (RMAb).
What are the side effects of the Rabies vaccine?
Local pain/redness; mild fever, headache, myalgia. 100% seroprotective titres (>0.5 IU).
Which Rabies vaccine brands are available in India?
Vaccines: Chirorab, Rabivax-S (Vero-cell), Vaxirab (Vero-cell), AbhayRab, IndiRab (Vero-cell), Berab (Vero-cell), ThRabies (recombinant). RIG — HRIG: Kamrab, Berirab (20 IU/kg, max 1,500 IU); ERIG: Equirab (40 IU/kg, max 3,000 IU); RMAb: Rabishield & Twinrab (3.33 & 40 IU/kg).
See the full IAP-ACVIP 2025 immunisation schedule →
About this page
Aligned with the IAP-ACVIP Recommended Immunization Schedule 2025 and compiled from standard paediatric references. Verify against the current product insert, the national schedule and your local protocol.
Spotted something wrong? Report an error on this page — corrections from clinicians are welcome and are reviewed before any change is published.
Last reviewed 2026-08-12.