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4 1 Tell your doctor if... <br />Talk with a doctor before getting rabies vaccine if you: <br />lever had a serious (life- threatening) allergic reaction to <br />a previous dose of rabies vaccine, or to any component <br />of the vaccine; tell your doctor if you have any severe <br />allergies, <br />2. have a weakened immune system because of: <br />- HIV /AIDS or another disease that affects the immune <br />system, <br />- treatment with drugs that affect the immune system, <br />such as steroids, <br />- cancer, or cancer treatment with radiation or drugs. <br />If you have a minor illnesses, such as a cold, you can <br />be vaccinated. If you are moderately or severely ill, you <br />should probably wait until you recover before getting a <br />routine (non- exposure) dose of rabies vaccine. <br />If you have been exposed to rabies virus, you <br />should get the vaccine regardless of any other <br />illnesses you may have. <br />5 What are the risks from rabies <br />vaccine? <br />A vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing <br />serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. <br />The risk of a vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is <br />extremely small. Serious problems from rabies vaccine <br />are very rare. <br />Mild problems <br />• soreness, redness, swelling, or itching where the shot <br />was given (30 % -74 %) <br />• headache, nausea, abdominal pain, muscle aches, <br />dizziness (5 % -40 %) <br />Moderate problems <br />• hives, pain in the joints, fever (about 6% of booster <br />doses) <br />Other nervous system disorders, such as Guillain- <br />Barr6 syndrome (GBS), have been reported after rabies <br />vaccine, but this happens so rarely that it is not known <br />whether they are related to the vaccine. <br />NOTE: Several brands of rabies vaccine are available <br />in the United States, and reactions may vary between <br />brands. Your provider can give you more information <br />about a particular brand. <br />6 What if there is a serious <br />reaction? <br />What should I look for? <br />Look for anything that concerns you, such as signs of <br />a severe allergic reaction, very high fever, or behavior <br />changes. <br />Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include hives, <br />swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, <br />a fast heartbeat, dizziness, and weakness. These <br />would start a few minutes to a few hours after the <br />vaccination. <br />What should I do? <br />• If you think it is a severe allergic reaction or other <br />emergency that can't wait, call 9 -1 -1 or get the person <br />to the nearest hospital. Otherwise, call your doctor. <br />• Afterward, the reaction should be reported to the <br />Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System ( VAERS). <br />Your doctor might file this report, or you can do it <br />yourself through the VAERS web site at <br />www.vaers.hhs.gov, or by calling 1- 800 - 822 -7967. <br />VAERS is only for reporting reactions. They do not give <br />medical advice. <br />7 1 How can I learn more? <br />• Ask your doctor. <br />• Call your local or state health department. <br />• Contact the Centers for Disease Control and <br />Prevention (CDC): <br />- Visit CDC's rabies website at www.cdc.gov /rabies/ <br />Vaccine Information Statement <br />Rabies Vaccine <br />Office Use Only <br />10/6/2009 0-1-- <br />