Yes, many Americans get rabies vaccines, but mostly as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after potential contact with a rabid animal, with around 100,000 people vaccinated annually in the U.S. for this reason, alongside routine pre-exposure shots for high-risk individuals like vets, travelers, and animal handlers, though human rabies cases are rare in the U.S..

Are US citizens vaccinated against 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.

Are rabies vaccines required in the US?

Most states require rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats, and sometimes ferrets after those animals reach a certain age (typically between three and six months old). This may serve as a prerequisite to obtaining a dog license issued by a city or county.

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 everyone vaccinated from rabies?

The rabies vaccine is not routinely given as part of the NHS vaccination schedule. It's only recommended for people at risk of getting rabies, including some people travelling abroad and people at risk through their work.

Is There A Rabies Vaccine For Humans? - The Health Brief

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).

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.

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.
 

Do I need a rabies shot if I wasn't bitten?

It's possible to get rabies even when you don't see an animal bite or scratch. For example, bat bites or scratches may be so small that you don't notice them. If you or your children come in direct contact with a bat, or if you find a bat in a closed room with a sleeping person, contact your doctor right away.

How long does a rabies vaccine last in humans?

Around 95% of people who have 3 doses of the rabies vaccine will have some protection from rabies. How long the protection lasts can vary, but it usually lasts at least 1 or 2 years. People at continued risk of rabies may need 1 or more booster doses of the rabies vaccine to make sure they stay protected.

Why are humans not vaccinated for 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 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.

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.

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).

Are rabies shots given in the belly button?

No, the rabies vaccine has not been given in the stomach since the 1980s. For adults, it should only be given in the deltoid muscle of the upper arm (administration to the gluteal area is NOT recommended, as studies have shown this can result in a less effective immune response).

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.

How many people died of rabies in the US in 2025?

Of the two cases and subsequent deaths reported in 2025, one occurred in a child who was exposed to rabies in India through a dog bite and died after coming to the U.S.

What not to do after rabies vaccine?

Avoid strenuous activities: Avoid heavy physical activities, such as lifting weights or intense exercise, immediately after your vaccination. Resting helps your body focus on processing the vaccine.

Why can't your body fight 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.

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