Animal Bite Vaccine Guidelines: Is it safe to mix rabies vaccine brands?

Did you know that changing the rabies vaccine brand schedule is safe? Yes, you read that right. Switching rabies vaccine brands to complete your series of doses is completely fine and harmless.

The World Health Organization (WHO) itself confirms that rabies vaccines brands are interchangeable. To ease concerns regarding the mixing of vaccine brands, WHO clarifies that:*

Switching to another vaccine brand during the vaccination schedule will not affect the efficacy of the vaccination. If you miss a dose, resume (not restart) your PEP schedule, then maintain the same interval between doses.

Your first dose may include Human rabies immunoglobulin (hRIG) or equine rabies immunoglobulin (eRIG ) if needed. This is done to immediately neutralize the rabies virus after exposure. Both hRIG and eRIG are safe and effective at preventing rabies.

What to do if you get bitten by your pet
Administer first aid immediately. Wash the wound with soap and water and gently press a clean cloth over the wound to stop the flow of blood. Call Maxicare’s Teleconsult hotline to get your recommendation for vaccination.

Where to get help
If you suspect possible exposure to rabies, or if the wound is severe, seek medical help immediately. You need to get your first vaccine shot within 24 hours after the exposure. Remember that rabies is 100% fatal.

Call the Teleconsult Hotline: (02) 8582 1980

Consult a doctor via call

Maxicare Telemedicine 24/7 Teleconsult
Click here to get your local number

Videoconsult a doctor
Click here to to download the app.

Get vaccinated at a Primary Care Clinic or through Maxicare’s HomeCare Program.

Click here to find the nearest Maxicare Clinic.
Contact (02) 77987739 or pcc.concierge@maxicare.com.ph

Click here to sign up to Maxicare HomeCare
Contact homecare@maxicare.com.ph

*Source: World Health Organization (WHO). Rabies vaccines and immunoglobulins: WHO position. WHO resource page. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-CDS-NTD-NZD-2018.04. Accessed 28 September 2022

27

28