Are the rabies vaccine shots really given in the stomach?
There is considerable myth regarding the “dreaded” rabies “shots”. One half of the passive immunization (human anti-rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG)) should be injected surrounding the wound site. If there were a bite to the abdomen, it would require injection at that location. In fact, small injections are made at multiple sites on all sides of the exposure site. This is performed only once, however, preferably on the first day of exposure. The active immunization is given into the shoulder muscle (or leg in very small infants). It is a single injection, but is performed on five different days. The needles used for these injections are not any longer than needles used for routine vaccinations. The injections themselves are not any more painful than any other vaccine, except that the passive immunization (HRIG) may need to be given at a more sensitive part of the body. While the vaccine is generally well tolerated, side effects may occur. With the active immunization, mild systemic reactio
