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Rabbis Vaccination
I completed full course ARV (0,3,7,28) on September 2025..Then I took ARV boostar dose(0,3) on April,2026..Today,on August 17,2026 I was again scratched by a Cat..Do I need again vaccination? How long the protection period of rabbis booster dose?
Answers (14)
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I am Dr Shamoon. Your immunity position is actually good. You completed a full primary anti-rabies course (0,3,7,28) in September 2025 and then took a two-dose booster (0,3) in April 2026, so you are a previously fully immunised person with an established memory response. For such a person, a fresh category II/III exposure never needs the full 5-dose schedule again and never needs rabies immunoglobulin - only two booster doses, on day 0 and day 3, which reliably push antibody levels up within a few days. Since your last booster was in April 2026 (about 4 months before this cat scratch of 17 August), the two-dose re-exposure booster is what is indicated for this scratch, unless the scratch was truly superficial with no break in the skin and no oozing/bleeding, in which case only wound care is needed. The practical concern in your case is timing: the exposure was around two weeks ago, so the boosters should be taken now without further delay - late is far better than never, and in a primed person the response is rapid. Regarding your main question on duration of protection: there is no fixed expiry date. After a complete course plus a booster, protective memory lasts for many years, generally accepted as 10 years or more, and for most people no routine booster is needed at all. What matters is that with every new bite or scratch from a dog, cat or other suspect animal, you take the day 0 and day 3 booster afresh, irrespective of how recently you were vaccinated - the only exception being a re-exposure within about 3 months of a completed course, where many guidelines allow omitting the vaccine. Repeated routine boosters "just for cover" are not required and give no extra benefit.
Next Steps
1) Take two anti-rabies booster doses now - day 0 (as soon as possible) and day 3, intramuscular in the arm. No immunoglobulin and no repeat 5-dose course is needed for you. 2) Wound care for the cat scratch: wash the site with soap and running water for 15 minutes, then apply povidone-iodine or alcohol-based antiseptic; do not suture, cover tightly or apply home remedies. 3) Check your tetanus status - if you have not had a tetanus/Td shot in the last 5 years, take one. 4) Watch the scratch for redness, swelling, pus, spreading pain or fever; cat scratches commonly get secondary bacterial infection and may need an antibiotic such as amoxicillin-clavulanate, which should be prescribed after examination. 5) If the cat is a known pet, observe it for 10 days - if it stays healthy, exposure risk is effectively nil; if it dies, disappears or turns ill, inform your doctor immediately. 6) Antibody titre testing (RFFIT) is not necessary for you and is not required to decide about boosters. 7) Keep a written record of all your vaccine dates so future exposures are managed correctly. If you want the booster plan, wound assessment and tetanus cover reviewed together with your dates, you are welcome to consult me on Practo, or in person at Synergy Multispeciality Hospital, Miraj.
Health Tips
Word of caution: do not assume you are covered for life and skip boosters after a new bite or scratch - rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms begin, but fully preventable with timely boosters. Seek immediate medical attention for tingling, numbness or pain at the old or new wound site, difficulty swallowing, fear of water, excessive salivation, irritability or confusion. Do not delay the day 0 dose any further, and avoid unverified home applications on the wound.
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Already 3 months, you need better one full course.
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If you would like to discuss your concern in more detail, please feel free to contact me on WhatsApp at nine one one nine two five five six nine nine. Alternatively, you can connect with me through the Practo app for a detailed consultation
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Yes I understand your querry regarding the booster dose and re-vaccination of rabies vaccine...
Under standard World health organisation (WHO) guidelines if a scratch or bite from a cat happens more than three months (90 days) after completing a full rabies vaccine or booster dose.Two booster dose of rabies vaccine recommended on day -0 and day -3...
Hope I address the your querry and concern
Regarding Rabies re- vaccination
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If the scratch did not break the skin at all, it is Category I and rabies PEP is not required; if there is any abrasion/bleeding, it should be assessed as an exposure. Therefore, 2 booster doses (Day 0 and Day 3) are appropriate if the scratch is a Category II/III exposure.
According to the Indian NCDC rabies guidelines, if a person with documented previous complete PEP/PrEP is re-exposed more than 3 months after the last complete regimen, they should receive 2 booster doses on Day 0 and Day 3.
RIG is not required.
Here, the complete PEP was in September 2025, so the August 2026 exposure is well beyond 3 months.
Next Steps
2 booster doses (Day 0 and Day 3) are appropriate if the scratch is a Category II/III exposure.
Health Tips
Wound washing immediately with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes.
No diet restrictions are advised
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Requires a proper assessment to understand the underlying cause and guide you.
Please book a consultation for a detailed evaluation, personalized treatment plan and further advice.
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You can take booster again.
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3 months after vaccination. So you need rebooter doses.go for bosster dose.
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kindly do connect and consult with me for better treatment plan and advice on your case via PRACTO app
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Dr. Rohan Gumber
General Physician
1 yrs exp
Sri Ganganagar
If you would like to discuss your concern in more detail, please feel free to contact me on WhatsApp at eight six one nine six six nine nine zero six. Alternatively, you can connect with me through the Practo app for a detailed consultation
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Dr. Vetsa Sri Krishna Chaitanya
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rajahmundry
Need a few more details please consult for further evaluation and treatment
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Dr. Ashita Kuruvilla
General Practitioner
8 yrs exp
Kolkata
Need few more details for further evaluation. Please consult
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Dr. Gaurav Jaiswal
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Jhansi
Avoid fried and spicy food
Water intake more
Green leafy vegetables more
Fiber meal
Do connect and consult
Will help you
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Dr. Anuj Mothsra
General Practitioner
7 yrs exp
Jhunjhunu
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
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Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.