Rabies vaccine (human) 1 dose vial: uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Prescription required (Schedule H)
Common uses: Post-exposure prophylaxis after a bite, scratch or lick on broken skin from a dog, cat, monkey, bat or other mammal – to prevent rabies, which is always fatal once symptoms start; Pre-exposure vaccination for people at risk – vets, animal handlers, lab workers, children in high-risk areas and travellers to remote places.
Listed MRPs range from ₹295.00 to ₹809.14 per ml across 7 listings. Use only on a doctor's prescription.
Price comparison
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | MRP | ₹ / ml | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rabies Vaccine, Human IPJan Aushadhi | Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) | 1 ml | ₹295.00 | ₹295.00 | 19 October 2026 |
| Rabipur | Glaxo SmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 1 ml | ₹349.35 | ₹349.35 | 19 October 2026 |
| Vaxirab N | Zydus Cadila | 1 ml | ₹404.40 | ₹404.40 | 19 October 2026 |
| Rabivax-S | Serum Institute Of India Ltd | 1 ml | ₹407.17 | ₹407.17 | 19 October 2026 |
| Indirab | Bharat Biotech | 0.5 ml | ₹397.62 | ₹795.24 | 19 October 2026 |
| Xprab | Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd | 0.5 ml | ₹404.52 | ₹809.04 | 19 October 2026 |
| Abhayrab | Indian Immunologicals Ltd | 0.5 ml | ₹404.57 | ₹809.14 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Post-exposure prophylaxis after a bite, scratch or lick on broken skin from a dog, cat, monkey, bat or other mammal – to prevent rabies, which is always fatal once symptoms start.
- Pre-exposure vaccination for people at risk – vets, animal handlers, lab workers, children in high-risk areas and travellers to remote places.
- Booster doses for those with continuing risk.
How to take it
This is an injection given into the muscle of the upper arm (thigh in small children) by a doctor or nurse – never into the buttock. After a bite: wash the wound immediately with soap and running water for 15 minutes, apply an antiseptic, and reach a hospital the same day. If you have never been vaccinated, the standard schedule is on day 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28 (five doses; some centres use a 4-dose schedule) and for deep bites (category III) rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) is also injected around the wound on day 0. If you were fully vaccinated earlier, only two doses on day 0 and 3 are needed. For pre-exposure protection, doses are given on day 0, 7 and 21 or 28. Keep the vaccination card and complete every dose on time – stopping halfway leaves you unprotected.
Side effects
Common
- Pain, redness, swelling or a hard lump at the injection site for a day or two.
- Headache, tiredness, feeling unwell.
- Mild fever, muscle or joint aches.
- Nausea, dizziness.
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- Severe allergic reaction – swelling of face or throat, hives, difficulty breathing – rare; vaccine centres keep adrenaline ready.
- Fainting shortly after the injection – sit for 15 minutes after each dose.
- Very rarely, nerve inflammation causing weakness, numbness or difficulty moving.
Safety information
Alcohol
Alcohol does not affect the vaccine, but avoid heavy drinking during the course so you do not miss doses.
Pregnancy
Rabies is fatal, so the vaccine and immunoglobulin are given to pregnant and breastfeeding women after any exposure – pregnancy is never a reason to delay.
Kidney problems
No change in dosing; tell the doctor about kidney disease.
Liver problems
No change in dosing.
Children
Given to children of all ages, including infants, with the same number of doses as adults.
Missed dose
Get the delayed dose as soon as possible and continue the schedule from there – do not restart from zero. Tell the vaccination centre how late you are.
Interactions
- Steroids and immunosuppressants (prednisolone, methotrexate, cancer chemotherapy, HIV with low CD4) – the vaccine may work less well; immunoglobulin is always given and antibody levels may be checked.
- Chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine – can weaken the response to intradermal doses; tell the doctor.
- Rabies immunoglobulin – must be given at a separate site from the vaccine, never in the same syringe.
- Other vaccines – can be given at the same time at a different site.
Frequently asked questions
A dog bit me – when should I get the rabies vaccine?
The same day, ideally within hours. First wash the wound with soap and running water for 15 minutes, then go to the nearest hospital or government anti-rabies clinic. The first dose is given on day 0, with further doses on days 3, 7, 14 and 28 (some centres follow a 4-dose schedule). For deep bites, rabies immunoglobulin is also injected around the wound.
Do I need the rabies vaccine if the dog is a pet and vaccinated?
See a doctor anyway. In India the vaccine is usually started and the animal observed for 10 days; if the dog stays healthy, the doctor may stop the remaining doses. Rabies is 100% fatal once symptoms begin, so the risk of waiting is not worth taking.
What is the difference between Rabipur and Abhayrab?
Both are modern cell-culture rabies vaccines that meet WHO potency standards. Rabipur is a chick-embryo-cell vaccine (GSK/Bavarian Nordic); Abhayrab is a Vero-cell vaccine from Indian Immunologicals. Either can be used, and they are interchangeable if one is unavailable mid-course.
Is the rabies vaccine safe in pregnancy?
Yes. Because rabies is always fatal, pregnant and breastfeeding women are given the full post-exposure course, including immunoglobulin if needed. There is no evidence of harm to the baby.
What is rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) and why is it needed?
RIG (for example AbhayRIG, Equirab) is ready-made antibody that neutralises the virus in the wound immediately, covering the days before your own immunity builds. It is given once, on day 0, for category III bites (bleeding wounds, bites on head/neck/hands, bat exposure) in people never vaccinated before.
Does a scratch or lick from a dog need the vaccine?
A lick on intact skin does not. A scratch or nibble that breaks the skin without bleeding (category II) needs the vaccine. Any bite that draws blood, or a lick on broken skin or the mouth/eyes (category III), needs vaccine plus immunoglobulin.
I missed my day 7 dose – do I have to restart?
No. Take the missed dose as soon as possible and continue the remaining doses with the same gaps. Tell the clinic how many days late you are; they will adjust the dates on your card.
I took the full rabies course last year – what if I am bitten again?
You need only two booster doses, on day 0 and day 3, and no immunoglobulin. Carry your old vaccination card as proof.
Where can I get the rabies vaccine free in India?
Government hospitals and anti-rabies clinics provide post-exposure vaccination free of charge. Private chemists also stock it against a prescription; it is a Schedule H product and must be kept refrigerated at 2 to 8 degrees until use.
Sources
- eMC – Rabipur patient leaflet (19 October 2026)
- NHS – Rabies (19 October 2026)
- NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam (ceiling prices) (19 October 2026)
- PMBI Jan Aushadhi Product & MRP List (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms