Wondering if you need a preventative rabies shots? Human preventative rabies shots, also known as rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis or rabies PrEP, is not useful for the vast majority of people. They are expensive, hard to get ahold of, and the average person will never even need to use the benefits a rabies pre-exposure shot will provide.
Why is it hard to get insurance to cover rabies pre-exposure shots?
It is hard to get insurance to cover preventative rabies shots because, as mentioned above, the average person, even someone like a vet tech, will never have the chance to use the benefits a rabies pre-exposure shot offers.
Do you still have to get rabies post-exposure treatment if you have rabies pre-exposure shots?
Yes, people who have preventative rabies shots do still need rabies post-exposure treatment after any exposure to the virus. Rabies pre-exposure treatment for humans is not the same as the rabies shots dogs and cats get.
Why do people get preventative rabies shots?
While rabies pre-exposure shots can give someone more time to get medical treatment, the big selling point for rabies PrEP is that it makes the lives of people who commonly come into contact with potentially rabid animals a whole lot easier. Generally, if someone gets bit by an animal that could potentially have rabies, they have to go through a big ordeal. If someone is working for long periods of time in scenarios where they have a high potential of coming into contact with the rabies virus, having to go through the general rabies post-exposure treatment process every single time they get exposed is a nightmare. Instead of needing a bunch of HRIG shots and four visits to the hospital, the rabies pre-exposure treatment eliminates the need for the HRIG shots and only requires two trips to the hospital.
Who are rabies pre-exposure shots useful for?
- Scientists who work directly with the rabies virus
- Wildlife biologists and zoologists who work with rabies vector species
- Spelunkers and those who work in caves and come into contact with bats
- Wildlife Rehabbers
- Animal Control and city shelter employees who work with unvaccinated dogs
