Melinda Malone

I feel compelled to add to the conversation on the Monkey discussion and rabies vaccination process. Rabies is 100% preventable IF the 1st dose post-exposure rabies vaccine and Rabies Immune Globulin (RIG) are administered right away after potential exposure, followed by the sequential doses as prescribed. Typically the the vaccine is administered in the deltoid muscle, while the RIG is administered around the wound site. Many years ago rabies vaccine doses were feared due to long needles and the number of doses needed. Modern technology has made this process much more tolerated and it need not be feared. Once the symptoms of Rabies begins the post-exposure rabies vaccine and RIG are useless. So when an animal can be captured and tested, it is extremely helpful. A patient begins the rabies protocol; the animals’ rabies test result then guides the continuance or end of rabies protocol for the patient.