The Complete Rabies Vaccine Schedule: What to Do After a Bite

Its a moment of pure panic. You're walking on the beach in Koh Samui, and a stray dog gets too close. Or perhaps you're visiting a temple, and a monkey, looking for food, scratches or bites you.

Your heart pounds. Your mind races. After you check the wound, one terrifying thought floods in: Rabies.

Rabies is a fatal disease. There is no grey area hereonce symptoms begin, it is 100% fatal. But it is also 100% preventable if you take the right steps immediately. The most important step is starting the correct rabies vaccine schedule.

Let's cut through the panic and give you the clear, simple facts you need right now.

Why You Can Trust Us

We are the medical team at Doctor Lamai Clinic on Koh Samui. We see animal bites almost every day. From stray dogs on the beach to monkey encounters, we have personally guided countless tourists and locals through the complete rabies vaccine schedule. We aren't just reporting on the guidelines; we administer these shots daily. We understand the panic of a bite and are here to provide clear, calm, and life-saving care.

The One Thing You Must Do Immediately After an Animal Bite

Before you even call a clinic, your actions in the first 15 minutes are critical. This is the first step in your animal bite treatment.

Step 1: Wash the Wound (This is Critical)

This is the single most important thing you can do to prevent infection.

• Wash the wound aggressively with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes.
• Don't just let the water run over it; use soap and scrub the area. Yes, it will hurt, but it is vital for flushing out the virus.
• After washing, apply an antiseptic like povidone-iodine or alcohol if you have it.

Step 2: See a Doctor (Do Not Wait)

 
Go to a clinic or hospital immediately. Do not "wait and see." Do not assume it's "just a scratch." When it comes to rabies prevention, there is no such thing as being too cautious.

What is Rabies and Why is it So Dangerous?

 
Rabies is a virus that attacks the central nervous system. It's passed to humans through the saliva of an infected animal, usually via a bite, scratch, or lick on broken skin or mucous membranes (like your eyes or mouth).

The virus travels slowly from the wound along your nerves to your brain. This "incubation period" can take weeks or even months. The goal of the rabies vaccine schedule is to build your body's defenses and stop the virus before it ever reaches your brain.

Understanding Your Situation: Post-Exposure vs. Pre-Exposure

The term "rabies vaccine schedule" can mean two very different things:

• Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): This is what you get after an animal bite or exposure. This is an emergency treatment.
• Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): This is a series of shots you get before any exposure, for prevention. This is ideal for high-risk individuals.

The Rabies Vaccine Schedule for Post-Exposure (After a Bite)

 
This is the emergency schedule. What happens next depends on one simple question: have you ever been vaccinated for rabies before?
 

If You Have NEVER Been Vaccinated Before

If this is your first time, your treatment will have two parts: Rabies Immune Globulin (RIG) and the vaccine series.

What is Rabies Immune Globulin (RIG)?

Think of RIG as your immediate, frontline defense. It's a dose of ready-made rabies antibodies. On your first visit (Day 0), we inject as much of this as possible directly into and around the wound.

This provides "passive immunity" to fight the virus at the entry site right now, while your body uses the next few weeks to build its own "active immunity" from the vaccine.

The Modern Rabies Vaccine Schedule (PEP)

 
Forget the old stories of 20 painful shots in the stomach. The modern rabies vaccine schedule is safe, effective, and given in your arm (deltoid muscle).

For a healthy, unvaccinated person, the standard PEP schedule is 4 doses.

• Day 0: Your first visit. You get the Rabies Immune Globulin (RIG) and your first vaccine dose.
• Day 3: Your second vaccine dose.
• Day 7: Your third vaccine dose.
• Day 14: Your fourth and final vaccine dose.

Note for Immunocompromised Patients: If you have a weakened immune system (e.g., HIV, on immunosuppressant drugs), you will need a 5-dose schedule (on Days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28).

What if I've Been Vaccinated for Rabies Before?

If you have proof of a previous rabies vaccination (either PrEP or a full PEP course), the process is much simpler and less urgent.

• No Rabies Immune Globulin (RIG) is needed.
• You only need 2 booster doses of the rabies vaccine.
• Day 0: Your first booster shot.
• Day 3: Your second and final booster shot.

This is why getting the pre-exposure vaccine is such a good idea if you live or travel extensively in a high-risk area.

The New "Pre-Exposure" Rabies Vaccine Schedule (PrEP)

For years, getting "pre-vaccinated" meant a 3-dose series. Now, the World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC recommend a new, simpler schedule.

The new PrEP rabies vaccine schedule is just 2 doses:

• Day 0: Your first dose.
• Day 7: Your second dose.

That's it. Two shots, one week apart, give you long-lasting protection. If you are bitten anytime after, you just need the 2-dose booster (Day 0 and 3), and you get to skip the expensive and uncomfortable Rabies Immune Globulin.

Who Should Get the Pre-Exposure Vaccine?

 
We strongly recommend PrEP for:

• Expats and long-term residents in Koh Samui or other parts of Thailand.
• Frequent travelers to countries where rabies is common.
• Children (who often play with animals and may not report a bite).
• Veterinarians, animal handlers, and wildlife researchers.
• Cavers (spelunkers) who might be exposed to bats.

Rabies Vaccine Schedules at a Glance

 
This table breaks down the modern rabies vaccine schedules.
 

Common Rabies Vaccine Names

You don't need to know the specific brand, as your doctor will use a WHO-approved vaccine. However, some common names you might see on your record include:

• Imovax
• Rabavert
• Verorab
• Rabipur

Where to Get Your Rabies Shots in Koh Samui

If you've had a potential rabies exposure, you need immediate medical care. At Doctor Lamai Clinic, we are fully equipped to handle animal bites, administer Rabies Immune Globulin (RIG), and manage your complete post-exposure or pre-exposure rabies vaccine schedule.

• Address: 124/254 Moo.3, Lamai beach, Koh Samui, Surat Thani, 84310
• Hours: Open Every Day from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• Phone: +66 65 262 9396
• Email: doctorlamaiclinic@gmail.com
• Map: Find us on Google Maps

Frequently Asked Questions About Rabies Prevention

What happens if I'm late for a rabies shot?
 
Don't panic, but contact your doctor immediately. If you are a day or two late for a dose, you can typically just get the shot and continue the schedule. Do not restart the series. The most important thing is to finish all the doses.

Is the rabies vaccine schedule safe for children and pregnancy?

Yes. The vaccine is considered safe and is strongly recommended for both children and pregnant women who have been exposed. The risk from the rabies disease (which is 100% fatal) far outweighs any theoretical risk from the vaccine.

Can I get rabies from a scratch or a lick?

Yes. If an infected animal has saliva on its claws, a scratch that breaks the skin is a serious risk. Likewise, if an animal licks an open wound, your mouth, or your eyes, this is considered a potential exposure, and you should seek medical care.

What about the 10-day animal observation rule?
 
You may have heard that if you can find the dog or cat that bit you, it can be observed for 10 days. If the animal is still healthy after 10 days, it did not have rabies at the time of the bite. This is true, but you must still start the vaccine schedule immediately. You can stop the shots later if the animal is confirmed healthy, but you cannot risk waiting 10 days to start.

How long does rabies protection last?

After completing a PrEP or PEP series, you are considered protected for many years, possibly for life. However, you will still need booster shots (the 2-dose schedule) if you are exposed again.

Our Final Advice on Rabies Prevention

An animal bite is a frightening experience, but it does not have to be a tragedy. Modern medicine has made rabies completely preventable. Your job is simple: Wash. The. Wound. Then, see a doctor immediately to start the rabies vaccine schedule.

References

• World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). Rabies vaccines: WHO position paper April 2018. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/who-wer9316 
• Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. (2024). Five things you need to know about rabies. https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/five-things-you-need-know-about-rabies 
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). Rabies Preexposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/prevention/pre-exposure_vaccinations.html