Treatment for People Exposed to Rabies

To be effective, human rabies treatment must be provided soon after exposure to a rabid or suspect-rabid animal. In New York State, health care providers must consult with local health departments before starting human rabies treatment, except in those cases when prior notification would compromise the health of the patient. See below for national and state guidance about human rabies treatment.

• Revised Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis Protocol - effective July 28, 2009
• Human Rabies Prevention - United States, 2008: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (PDF, 548KB, 36pg.)
• Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report - Use of a Reduced (4-Dose) Vaccine Schedule for Postexposure Prophylaxis to Prevent Human Rabies (PDF, 581KB, 12pg.)
  • Notice: This document updates the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for rabies postexposure prophylaxis, reducing the number of vaccine doses from five to four in most previously unvaccinated individuals.
• CDC Vaccine Information Statements on Rabies
  • Rabies Vaccine: What you need to know (PDF, 2pg.)
• Guidance Regarding Human Exposure to Rabies and Postexposure Prophylaxis Decisions (PDF, 46KB, 7pg.)
• Local Health Department Rabies Contacts (Available 24 hours a day)