How often are routine boosters needed after pre-exposure immunisation?
The recommended booster schedule depends upon the potential risk of exposure. Persons at high risk of exposure, (rabies laboratory workers etc.) ideally should have blood test to evaluate the presence of rabies neutralizing antibodies. The time interval between blood tests is determined by the degree of risk, for example laboratory workers working in areas with constant risk of exposure should have blood test conducted every six months. In the event that their serological titre falls below 0.5 IU/mL, they should receive one routine booster injection. Others at low risk of exposure do not need a routine booster. In the event that persons that have received pre-exposure vaccination previously are subsequently exposed to a suspect rabid animal, they should receive two booster doses of vaccine (day 0 and day 3) without the administration of rabies immune globulin.
