Rabies virus (inactivated, strain flury lep) at a glance
Class
Inactivated rabies vaccine
Usual role
Active immunisation before or after possible rabies exposure
Administration
Given into a muscle by a healthcare professional
Key point
Vaccination does not remove the need for urgent assessment after exposure
What is Rabies virus (inactivated, strain flury lep) used for?
Licensed for active immunisation against rabies in people of all ages, in accordance with official recommendations.
Pre-exposure prevention for people whose travel, work or activities increase their rabies risk.
Post-exposure prevention after a bite, scratch or other qualifying contact with a potentially infected animal.
How does Rabies virus (inactivated, strain flury lep) work?
The inactivated virus cannot reproduce. Its antigens activate immune cells to produce rabies-virus-neutralising antibodies that can prevent infection from becoming established.
How to take Rabies virus (inactivated, strain flury lep)
A healthcare professional reconstitutes the powder with the supplied solvent immediately before use and injects it into a muscle. It is usually given in the upper arm, or the thigh in young children; it must not be injected into the buttock or a blood vessel.
Food does not affect this injected vaccine.
Tell the vaccinator about allergies, current illness, immune-suppressing treatment and previous rabies vaccination.
After possible exposure, follow urgent wound-care and medical instructions even if previously vaccinated.
Rabies virus (inactivated, strain flury lep) side effects
Common or expected effects
- Injection-site pain, redness, swelling or firmness
- Headache or dizziness
- Tiredness, weakness, malaise or fever
- Rash or hives
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or abdominal discomfort
- Muscle or joint pain
- Swollen lymph nodes or reduced appetite
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis
- Swelling affecting the face, mouth or airway
- Very rare reported neurological reactions, including encephalitis and Guillain–Barré syndrome
Rabies virus (inactivated, strain flury lep) in pregnancy
Pregnancy is not a reason to withhold vaccination when post-exposure prevention is required. Before exposure, use should follow an individual assessment of rabies risk and the potential benefits and uncertainties of vaccination.
Rabies virus (inactivated, strain flury lep) while breastfeeding
Rabies vaccination can be given while breastfeeding when post-exposure prevention is required. Before exposure, the clinician should balance the likely benefit against potential risk; adverse effects in a breastfed infant from vaccine exposure through milk are considered highly unlikely.
Rabies virus (inactivated, strain flury lep) interactions
Tell the vaccinator about all medicines and recent vaccines, particularly treatments that suppress immunity.
Immunosuppressive medicines
May reduce the antibody response, so specialist advice and antibody monitoring may be required.
Rabies immunoglobulin
When required, it must be administered at a separate anatomical site from the vaccine.
Other vaccines
Supported vaccines may be given at the same visit using separate injection sites and preferably different limbs.
Common questions about Rabies virus (inactivated, strain flury lep)
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can Rabipur cause rabies?
No. It contains inactivated virus that cannot reproduce or cause rabies.
Who may need Rabipur before exposure?
People at increased risk through travel, laboratory work, animal handling, veterinary work or regular bat contact may be advised to have it.
Do I still need urgent help after an animal bite if I have had Rabipur?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.