Yes, many Americans get rabies vaccines, mostly after potential exposure (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis or rPEP), such as from a bat or wild animal bite, with about 100,000 people receiving shots yearly in the U.S.. A smaller group, like veterinarians, animal handlers, and travelers to high-risk areas, get vaccinated before exposure (pre-exposure) as a preventive measure for high-risk jobs or travel.

Are US citizens vaccinated for rabies?

Rabies spreads primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. The animals most frequently found with rabies in the U.S. are bats, skunks, raccoons, and foxes. Around 100,000 Americans are vaccinated against rabies following a potential rabies exposure each year.

When was the last human rabies case in the US?

In November 2024, a California art teacher died from rabies, about a month after being bitten by a bat she found in her classroom. In 2024, there was also a rabies human death in Minnesota (contracted from a bat), and a rabies human death in Kentucky (believed to have been acquired abroad).

What are the odds of getting rabies in the USA?

Yes, but it is very rare for people to get rabies in the United States. Of the 55,000 people who die of rabies every year around the world, only one or two of those deaths occur in the United States.

Is rabies vaccine required in the USA?

Between 50,000 and 75,000 cases of human rabies are estimated to occur each year worldwide. Over 90% of these cases occur following exposure to a rabid dog. In the United States, rabies is rare among dogs because all states have laws that require dogs to be vaccinated against rabies.

United Against Rabies: Oral rabies vaccination

What states are exempt from the rabies vaccine?

Medical Exemption Laws

18 states have medical exemptions to rabies vaccines: Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin. Medical exemption laws can vary by state.

Which countries require rabies vaccination?

Areas Where You'll Need a Rabies Vaccination

• Afghanistan.
• Argentina.
• Brazil.
• Bangladesh.
• China.
• Costa Rica.
• India.
• Kenya.

What are the first signs of rabies in humans?

Early signs of rabies in humans are often flu-like (fever, headache, weakness, discomfort) and include unusual tingling, itching, or pain at the bite site, lasting several days before more severe neurological symptoms like anxiety, confusion, and hallucinations develop as the virus reaches the brain.
 

Is rabies still fatal in 2025?

In terms of human cases, CDC data show there were zero reported in 2019 and 2020, five reported in 2021, zero in 2022 and 2023, four in 2024 and two so far in 2025. Rabies in humans is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

Why can't we cure rabies?

Why is there no cure for rabies? There's no cure for rabies once it's moved to your brain because it's protected by your blood-brain barrier. Your blood-brain barrier is a layer between your brain and the blood vessels in your head.

Is there a downside to getting a rabies shot?

Slight side effects like fever, weakness, headache, nausea, local pain and swelling usually occurred in patients following rabies vaccination, among whom patients aged younger than 15 years old were more often suffered from fever, vomiting and cough.

Can I still get rabies if I'm vaccinated?

Is a vaccinated person totally protected if bitten by a rabid animal? No. If bitten, a vaccinated person who is up to date on PrEP should receive medical attention and two doses of post-exposure rabies vaccine; one dose right away and a second dose 3 days later.

Why are humans not vaccinated against rabies?

Rabies vaccines for humans and domestic animals are currently made from killed virus. But this inactivation process can cause the molecules to become misshapen – so these vaccines aren't showing the right form to the immune system.

What is the 10 day rule for rabies?

The 10-day observation period for a biting dog, cat, or ferret is a standard public health practice to determine rabies risk: if the animal remains healthy for 10 days after biting someone, it wasn't shedding the rabies virus in its saliva at the time of the bite, meaning the exposed person usually doesn't need rabies post-exposure shots (PEP). This quarantine ensures the animal is available for monitoring, preventing unnecessary euthanasia for brain testing and avoiding expensive PEP for the bite victim if the animal stays healthy.
 

Who is at higher risk for rabies?

Children between the age of 5 and 14 years are frequent victims. Rabies infects mammals, including dogs, cats, livestock and wildlife. Rabies spreads to people and animals via saliva, usually through bites, scratches, or direct contact with mucosa (e.g. eyes, mouth, or open wounds).

Do I need a rabies shot if there was a bat in my house?

Yes, you likely need a rabies shot (post-exposure prophylaxis or PEP) if a bat was in your house, especially if anyone was sleeping, a child, or an impaired person was present, or if there was any direct contact (bite, scratch, even waking up with it in the room), because bat bites can be tiny and missed; contact your health department and doctor immediately to arrange for the bat to be tested and to start PEP if exposure is suspected. 

Can rabies lay dormant in humans?

Rabies can lay dormant in your body for 1 to 3 months. Doctors call this the "incubation period." Symptoms will appear once the virus travels through your central nervous system and hits your brain.

What are the odds of getting rabies in the United States?

Rabies can cause severe disease and death if patients don't receive appropriate and urgent post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after a rabies exposure and before symptoms start. Thanks to rabies control programs and PEP, rabies is rare in people in the United States, with less than 10 cases reported annually.

Does travel insurance cover rabies?

The cost of your travel vaccinations won't be covered by your travel insurance. But if you have private health insurance, your plan may cover the cost of vaccines that aren't covered under the NHS. You'll need to check this with your health insurance provider before going to the doctor.

What are the early symptoms of rabies?

Early rabies symptoms often mimic the flu (fever, headache, weakness) plus tingling/itching at the bite site, followed by anxiety, confusion, and difficulty swallowing, which progresses to delirium, paralysis, coma, and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, making prompt treatment crucial.
 

---