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Anxiety over Rabies Shot placement

Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: Sep 1, 2022 | Replies (3)
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@perpetualpsyduck

Hi all,

Got bit by a stray dog on Saturday in leg. Since was wearing jeans there were wounds but not many.
Couldn't immediately clean the wound but got Rabies ChiroRab vaccine and a Tetanus shot within 25-30 minutes but both the shots had been near buttocks region.
On Tuesday when I went for the 2 shot, asked the doctor to give the shot on my hand after reading that rabies Shot shouldn't be given near buttocks. But he said that I won't be able to bear the pain in the hand, and gave the shot again near the buttocks.
I am anxious regarding this now and don't know what to do. Haven't been able to let the thought go off from my mind.
Should I repeat this 2 shots now or take the rest of the shots near my shoulder and let it be.

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Replies to "Hi all, Got bit by a stray dog on Saturday in leg. Since was wearing jeans..."
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Aug 31, 2022

Hi @perpetualpsyduck, you're quite right. According to the guidelines from the CDC, "The gluteal area [buttock] should never be used for rabies vaccine injections because observations suggest administration in this area results in lower neutralizing antibody titers." Read more here: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/medical_care/vaccine.html

Note that it says "lower neutralizing antibody titers". This means that the vaccine has some effect.

Please note that the recommended protocol is 4 doses. "A regimen of four 1-mL doses of HDCV or PCEC vaccines should be administered intramuscularly to previously unvaccinated persons. The first dose of the four-dose course should be administered as soon as possible after exposure. Additional doses should be administered on days 3, 7, and 14 after the first vaccination. For adults, the vaccination should always be administered intramuscularly in the deltoid area (arm)."

I suggest that you see a different doctor to get subsequent vaccination shots in the arm (not the hand).

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