RabIg is given by injection into the area(s) surrounding the wound. If you have already had a complete series of rabies vaccine you do not need to get RabIg. If an animal that may have rabies has bitten or scratched you, get RabIg and rabies vaccine as soon as possible. Who should get rabies immune globulin and rabies vaccine? Since blood screening and testing began, there have been no reports of blood-borne infections such as HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C in people who received RabIg. However, there is an extremely small risk of passing some blood-borne infections through the use of RabIg. The final preparation of RabIg undergoes more testing to ensure that there are no known infectious viruses present. These steps include inactivating and removing viruses and bacteria that can cause disease. Many chemical and physical steps are included when preparing RabIg. Each blood donation is also tested for the presence of blood-borne viruses before being used to make RabIg. All blood donors are screened for exposure to viruses such as HIV and hepatitis. RabIg is prepared from donated human blood that is tested for safety. People usually have only minor reactions that may last a couple of days after being immunized. It is much safer to get immunized with these products than to get rabies. Yes, both of these products are very safe. RabIg and rabies vaccine are approved by Health Canada.Īre rabies immune globulin and rabies vaccine safe? It is also provided free to students attending a Canadian Veterinary College or Animal Health Training Centre. In B.C., the rabies vaccine is provided free to those who have been exposed to an animal that may have rabies. The vaccine is made from killed rabies virus and cannot cause rabies. Rabies vaccine provides long lasting protection against infection from the rabies virus. Antibodies are proteins that a person’s immune system makes to fight germs, such as bacteria and viruses. RabIg contains large amounts of antibodies taken from donated human blood. Rabies immune globulin (RabIg) provides immediate, short-term protection against the virus that causes rabies.

What are rabies immune globulin and rabies vaccine?

Rabies Vaccine Serial Numbers