Long Term Side Effects of the Rabies Vaccine in Humans: What You Need to Know
Last updated: 5 Dec 2025
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Youve done the right thing. You were bitten or scratched, and you started the rabies vaccine schedule. But now, perhaps late at night while scrolling through forums, a new worry has crept in.
What does this vaccine actually do to my body in the long run?
You might have read scary stories about neurological damage or chronic illness. It is natural to be concerned about injecting something into your body, especially when it involves multiple doses over a month.
However, when it comes to the rabies vaccine, there is a massive gap between the "internet myths" (often based on outdated medicine) and the modern medical reality.
Lets look at the actual long-term safety profile of the rabies vaccine in humans, based on 2025 medical standards.
For the vast majority of people, the vaccine leaves the system once it has done its job (teaching your immune system to fight rabies), leaving no lasting footprint other than the protective antibodies.
1. Neurological Effects (Guillain-Barré Syndrome)
This is the most common specific fear. Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare disorder where the immune system damages nerve cells.
Short-Term Side Effects (What You WILL Likely Feel)
While long-term effects are rare, short-term side effects are very common and completely normal. They are a sign your immune system is waking up.
Once symptoms appear, there is no cure. The risk of the disease is absolute. The risk of a serious long-term side effect from the vaccine is theoretical and one-in-a-million.
The choice is clear: The vaccine is safe. The virus is not.
No. The vaccines we use (like Verorab or Rabipur) are "inactivated." This means the virus is dead. It is biologically impossible for the vaccine to come back to life and give you rabies, now or in the future.
Does the vaccine stay in my body forever?
The ingredients of the vaccine are flushed out of your body within a few days or weeks. What stays in your body are the memory cells (antibodies) that protect you. This is a good thing!
I read about "nerve tissue" vaccines causing paralysis. Is that true?
It was true for the old vaccines used decades ago. Those vaccines are no longer used in standard practice in Thailand or most of the world. We strictly use modern cell-culture vaccines which do not have this risk.
Does the vaccine affect fertility?
There is no evidence to suggest that the rabies vaccine affects fertility in men or women.
I feel dizzy after my shot. Is this permanent?
Dizziness is a common immediate reaction, often due to anxiety or a needle phobia (vasovagal response), not the vaccine ingredients themselves. It usually passes in minutes and is not a long-term side effect.
What does this vaccine actually do to my body in the long run?
You might have read scary stories about neurological damage or chronic illness. It is natural to be concerned about injecting something into your body, especially when it involves multiple doses over a month.
However, when it comes to the rabies vaccine, there is a massive gap between the "internet myths" (often based on outdated medicine) and the modern medical reality.
Lets look at the actual long-term safety profile of the rabies vaccine in humans, based on 2025 medical standards.
Why You Can Trust Us
We are the medical team at Doctor Lamai Clinic. We administer the rabies vaccine daily to patients from all over the world. We don't just follow the protocols; we understand the history and the science behind them. We regularly consult the latest World Health Organization (WHO) safety data to ensure we are giving our patients the safest, most effective care possible. We know the difference between the vaccines used 40 years ago and the ones we use today, and that difference is everything.The "Old" vs. "New" Vaccine: Why the Fear Exists
Most of the horror stories you read about long-term neurological damage come from older generation vaccines.- Nerve Tissue Vaccines (The Old Way): Decades ago, rabies vaccines were made from the nerve tissue of animals (like sheep brains). These did carry a risk of serious neurological side effects (like paralysis) because the body would sometimes attack its own nervous system.
- Cell-Culture Vaccines (The Modern Way): Today, in Thailand and most of the world, we use Cell-Culture Vaccines (like Verorab or Rabipur). These are highly purified and contain no nerve tissue.
Do Modern Rabies Vaccines Have Long-Term Side Effects?
According to the CDC and WHO, significant long-term side effects from modern rabies vaccines are exceptionally rare.For the vast majority of people, the vaccine leaves the system once it has done its job (teaching your immune system to fight rabies), leaving no lasting footprint other than the protective antibodies.
1. Neurological Effects (Guillain-Barré Syndrome)
This is the most common specific fear. Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare disorder where the immune system damages nerve cells.- The Data: While there have been isolated reports of GBS occurring after vaccination, large-scale studies have not been able to prove a causal link.
- The Risk: Even if a link exists, it is estimated to be in the range of 1 in a million doses. To put that in perspective, you are far more likely to be struck by lightning than to develop long-term nerve damage from a modern rabies vaccine.
2. Autoimmune Concerns
Some people worry that the vaccine will "confuse" their immune system and cause autoimmune diseases later in life.- The Data: There is no scientific evidence to support the idea that rabies vaccines cause chronic autoimmune diseases. The immune response triggered by the vaccine is specific to the rabies virus and does not turn the body against itself.
3. "Brain Fog" or Chronic Fatigue
We often hear patients ask if the vaccine causes long-term fatigue or cognitive issues.- The Reality: While you may feel tired or achy for a few days during the vaccination schedule (your body is working hard to build antibodies!), these symptoms are temporary. They resolve completely once the course is finished and do not turn into chronic conditions.
Short-Term Side Effects (What You WILL Likely Feel)
While long-term effects are rare, short-term side effects are very common and completely normal. They are a sign your immune system is waking up.- Soreness: Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site (the arm).
- Mild Fever: A slightly elevated temperature for 24 hours.
- Headache: A dull ache that usually responds to paracetamol.
- Nausea: Feeling a bit "off" in the stomach.
- Muscle Aches: Feeling like you had a tough workout.
Safety in Special Groups
One of the strongest testaments to the vaccine's safety is that it is approved for the most vulnerable groups.- Pregnant Women: The rabies vaccine is safe for pregnancy. Because rabies is fatal, pregnancy is never a reason to withhold the vaccine. Studies show no long-term effects on the mother or the baby.
- Infants and Children: The vaccine is safe for children of all ages, with no impact on their long-term growth or development.
- Immunocompromised: Even people with weakened immune systems (like HIV) must receive the vaccine (often with a different schedule), as the risk of the virus is far greater than any vaccine risk.
The Ultimate Risk Calculation
When weighing the risks, you must remember one fact: Rabies is 100% fatal.Once symptoms appear, there is no cure. The risk of the disease is absolute. The risk of a serious long-term side effect from the vaccine is theoretical and one-in-a-million.
The choice is clear: The vaccine is safe. The virus is not.
Your Safe Space for Vaccination in Koh Samui
If you are currently going through the vaccination process and feeling anxious, come talk to us. We can monitor you for any side effects and reassure you every step of the way. We use only top-tier, imported cell-culture vaccines with the highest safety profiles.- 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 (FAQ)
Can the rabies vaccine cause me to get rabies years later?No. The vaccines we use (like Verorab or Rabipur) are "inactivated." This means the virus is dead. It is biologically impossible for the vaccine to come back to life and give you rabies, now or in the future.
Does the vaccine stay in my body forever?
The ingredients of the vaccine are flushed out of your body within a few days or weeks. What stays in your body are the memory cells (antibodies) that protect you. This is a good thing!
I read about "nerve tissue" vaccines causing paralysis. Is that true?
It was true for the old vaccines used decades ago. Those vaccines are no longer used in standard practice in Thailand or most of the world. We strictly use modern cell-culture vaccines which do not have this risk.
Does the vaccine affect fertility?
There is no evidence to suggest that the rabies vaccine affects fertility in men or women.
I feel dizzy after my shot. Is this permanent?
Dizziness is a common immediate reaction, often due to anxiety or a needle phobia (vasovagal response), not the vaccine ingredients themselves. It usually passes in minutes and is not a long-term side effect.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2024). Rabies Vaccine Information Statement. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/rabies.html
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). Rabies vaccines: WHO position paper. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/who-wer9316
- The History of Vaccines (College of Physicians of Philadelphia). (2023). Rabies: The Vaccine. https://historyofvaccines.org/history/rabies/timeline
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