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Scratches by a stray dog
A stray dog pounced on my kid . Light scratches . Got rabies vaccination as per schedule on 0 ,3,7,14 days but the last dose instead of 28th day was given on 21st day because the doctor erroneously mentioned the date . And now we are 4 days past the 28th day. What should we do?
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Hello, I understand your concern
Since the 5th dose (normally given on Day 28) was mistakenly administered on Day 21, and today is Day 32, the best course of action is to now administer the 5th dose immediately to ensure adequate protection.
The WHO recommends post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) using the 5-dose Essen regimen on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28. If the final dose was missed or given too early, it should be administered as soon as possible. Giving a dose late is acceptable and preferable to missing it altogether.
Next Steps
Take the child to the nearest hospital or vaccination center today and give the 5th (Day 28) rabies vaccine dose.
No need to restart the series.
Observe the dog (if available) for 10 days from the bite for signs of rabies.
Health Tips
Always cross-check the vaccination schedule before each dose.
If the dog is a known stray and not traceable, complete vaccination is essential regardless of its condition.
If there’s any doubt, consult your local health authority or pediatrician for further evaluation.
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You can get the additional 5th dose now
Thereâs no need to restart the entire vaccine course.
Next Steps
If the dog has been under observation and stayed healthy for 10 days, risk of rabies is low â but since itâs a stray, this likely isnât possible.
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