This group includes veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal control officers, wildlife workers, other animal handlers, cave explorers and some construction workers. Persons who travel to and spend more than 1 month in foreign countries where canine rabies is endemic should also be immunized. It also offers protection for those who may face delay in accessing post-exposure immunization. This is particularly a problem associated with remote work in areas where the vaccines may not be readily available. The benefits of preventative immunization are that it simplifies and shortens post-exposure immunization, reduces the risk of side effects and costs less.
Preventative immunization consists of three vaccinations with the rabies vaccine.
These are usually given once per week. Blood testing should be done immediately after completing the series of vaccinations, and every 2-6 years thereafter. Single booster doses should then be given if the protection becomes ineffective. If a previously immunized person is later exposed to rabies virus, two additional doses are given. Additional immunization is not necessary in such previously immunized individuals.