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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving rabies vaccine (Imovax Rabies)?

Do not receive this vaccine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a rabies vaccine.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely receive this vaccine:

• any type of infection or severe illness;
• human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection;
• a weak immune system caused by disease or by taking certain medicines or receiving cancer treatments; or
• if you are taking medicine to treat or prevent malaria.

You can still receive a rabies vaccine if you have a cold or other minor illness. If you have a more severe illness with a fever, wait until you recover before receiving this vaccine. However, if you have been bitten by an infected animal or otherwise exposed to the rabies virus, you should receive the rabies vaccine regardless of having another illness.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this vaccine is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether rabies vaccine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How is rabies vaccine given (Imovax Rabies)?

Rabies human diploid cell vaccine is given as an injection into a muscle. You will receive this injection in your doctor's office or other clinic setting. A doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection.

For preventing rabies if you are at risk of exposure, you will need to receive a total of 3 injections. The second injection is usually given 7 days after the first, followed by a third injection 2 or 3 weeks later.

Depending on your risk of exposure to rabies, you may need to receive the rabies vaccine series every 2 years. If you work around live rabies virus, such as in a laboratory or a vaccine production area, you may need to receive a booster rabies vaccine every 6 months.

For treating rabies after you have been bitten or exposed, you will need to receive a total of 6 injections. The injections are usually given on Days 0, 3, 7, 14, 30, and 90. At the beginning of your treatment you may also receive a second injection with a rabies anti-serum or immune globulin (im-YOON GLOB-yoo-lin). This medicine is sometimes injected into or near the bite wound or injury where the rabies virus is likely to have entered your body.

Follow your doctor's instructions for your injection schedule.

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