RabAvert (Rabies Vaccine) is indicated for:
- Pre-exposure vaccination, in both primary series and booster doses against rabies in all age groups.
- Post-exposure prophylaxis against rabies in all age groups.
Rabies overview
Rabies is fatal in almost 100% of cases, causing
70,000 deaths a year worldwide.*,2,3
Rabies is caused by a virus that is transmitted to humans from infected animals, usually through a bite, scratch, or even by licking an open wound.4
The Lyssavirus travels to the central nervous system, leading to progressive and fatal brain and spinal cord inflammation.3,5
Symptoms can occur within
several days to months.6
Dogs are the largest concern for rabies exposure globally.3
In Canada, the most recent cases involve bats, though skunks, raccoons, and foxes
can also transmit the virus.6,7
Outside of North America, about 99% of cases of rabies are transmitted to humans from dogs.
Other animals that may transmit rabies overseas include bats, monkeys, mongooses, and jackals.2,8
FOLLOWING THE ONSET OF SYMPTOMS,
RABIES IS NEARLY ALWAYS FATAL.*,3,7
*RabAvert is not indicated to treat the symptoms or reduce the consequences associated with rabies.
RISK FACTORS
RABIES IS PRESENT IN 150 COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES—INCLUDING CANADA AND THE US3,7
Although only 28 cases of rabies in humans have been diagnosed in Canada since 1924, all Of these cases were fatal.6
Recognizing who may be at higher risk
People at higher risk of rabies exposure:
Children, because they are more likely to approach and play with animals and are less likely to report any physical contact (bite, scratch, licking an open wound, etc.).8
People travelling to certain international destinations where rabies is widespread and access to adequate and generally safe treatment is limited.8
People working with or around animals, such as veterinary staff, animal control officers, animal shelter/rescue workers, and lab personnel who work with rabies virus.8
People engaging in certain outdoor activities, such as hunting or trapping in a high-risk area or cave exploring.8
A bite, scratch, or lick of an open wound from a rabid animal—
anytime, anywhere—can cause rabies in an unvaccinated person.7
Help protect your patients — before or after exposure to rabies — with RabAvert1
Prescribe RabAvert:
BEFORE EXPOSURE Primary series
Immunization with RabAvert should be offered to people of all ages:
-
At potential risk of contact with rabid animals (high-risk occupational and recreational groups, e.g. certain laboratory workers, veterinarians, animal control and wildlife workers, spelunkers, and hunters and trappers in high-risk areas such as the Far North)
-
Travelling to endemic areas where there is not likely to be access to adequate and generally safe post-exposure measures
AFTER EXPOSURE
RabAvert is indicated for post-exposure prophylaxis against rabies in all age groups.
Post-exposure prophylaxis depends on the animal species and its condition at the time of exposure.
Refer to the dosing section for guidance on pre–exposure
vaccination and post-exposure prophylaxis.
RABAVERT dosing1
When you identify patients at higher risk for rabies, talk to them about RabAvert.
BEFORE EXPOSURE Primary immunization: 3 injections x 1.0 mL
- Healthy people immunized with an appropriate regimen will develop rabies antibodies, so routine post-immunization antibody determinations are not recommended.
- Neutralizing antibodies develop 7 days after the 2nd dose of primary immunization and persist for at least 2 years after the 3rd dose.
- Post-immunization antibody titre determination may be advisable for those anticipating frequent exposure or who are immunocompromised.
RabAvert is covered by many private drug plans
that include vaccination coverage.9
Talk to your patients about their insurance coverage.
WHEN TO CONSIDER
A BOOSTER DOSE
The individual booster dose of RabAvert is 1.0 mL IM. The timing of the booster may vary depending on continued high risk of exposure and serum antibody levels.
Those with continuing high risk of exposure (e.g. certain veterinarians):
Test serum for rabies antibodies every 2 years
Those at risk of unapparent exposure (e.g. lab personnel working with the live rabies virus in labs or vaccine facilities):
Test serum for rabies antibodies every 6 months
Those with inadequate titres
Give a booster dose of RabAvert
No need for continued serological control:*
Consider a booster dose of RabAvert every 2–5 years
Adapted from the RabAvert Product Monograph.1
IM: intramuscular
AFTER EXPOSURE Previously unvaccinated: 5 injections x 1.0 mL
AFTER EXPOSURE Previously vaccinated: 2 injections x 1.0 mL
- First dose should be given immediately after exposure.
- Do not administer RIG.
- If immune status is not known, full post-exposure antirabies prophylaxis (RIG plus 5 doses of vaccine) is recommended; if protective levels of neutralizing antibodies can be demonstrated in a serum sample collected before vaccine is given (RFFIT), treatment can be discontinued after at least 2 doses of vaccine.
POST-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS IS COVERED
BY PUBLIC HEALTH COVERAGE, NATIONALLY.9
Administering RABAVERT1
ADULTS AND CHILDREN ≥ 2 YEARS OLD
CHILDREN < 2 YEARS OLD
Important safety information1
Indications and clinical use:
RabAvert (Rabies Vaccine) is indicated for:
Pre-exposure vaccination, in both primary series and booster doses against rabies in all age groups.
Post-exposure prophylaxis against rabies in all age groups.
Contraindications:
As with other vaccines, pre-exposure vaccination with RabAvert should be postponed in subjects suffering from an acute, severe febrile illness
History of anaphylaxis to the vaccine or any of its components, including the container (for pre-exposure vaccination)
Serious warnings and precautions:
Anaphylaxis and neuroparalytic events: Anaphylaxis, neuroparalytic events such as encephalitis, transient paralysis, and Guillain-Barré Syndrome have been reported to be temporally associated with the use of RabAvert
Risk consideration prior to discontinuation: A patient’s risk of developing rabies must be carefully considered, however, before deciding to discontinue immunization
Intramuscular administration: RabAvert must not be used subcutaneously and should not be used intradermally. Do not inject intravascularly
Relevant warnings and precautions:
Current health status of vaccinee and reactions to previous RabAvert dose
Need for aseptic technique
Postponement of pre-exposure vaccination in certain patients
Proper handling of syringes and needles needed for different patients
RabAvert will not protect 100% of susceptible patients
Mixing with other medications in the same syringe
Concomitant vaccination
Development of active immunity may be impaired in immunocompromised individuals
Contains albumin and residues of chicken and egg proteins
Anxiety-related reactions; risk of fainting
Need for serum testing for rabies antibody on Day 14 when administered as post‑exposure prophylaxis in those receiving corticosteroids or other immunosuppressives, or in those who are immunosuppressed
Unknown if RabAvert can cause fetal harm or affect reproduction
Unknown if RabAvert is excreted in animal or human milk
For more information:
Consult the RabAvert Product Monograph for important information relating to adverse events, drug interactions, and dosing that has not been discussed in this piece. The Product Monograph is also available by calling 1‑833‑203‑7933.
Explore other vaccines offered by Bavarian Nordic.
References: 1. RabAvert® (Rabies Vaccine) Product Monograph. Bavarian Nordic A/S. February 10, 2025. 2. Centers for Disease Control. Global rabies: what you should know. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/around-world/index.html. Accessed October 21, 2024. 3. World Health Organization. Rabies: Key facts. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rabies. Accessed July 8, 2025. 4. Centers for Disease Control. About rabies. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/about/index.html. Accessed July 8, 2025. 5. Pieracci EG et al. Vital signs: trends in human rabies deaths and exposures — United States, 1938–2018. MMWR. 2019;68(23):524–528. 6. Government of Canada. Rabies vaccines: Canadian Immunization Guide. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/canadian-immunization-guide-part-4-active-vaccines/page-18-rabies-vaccine.html. Accessed July 8, 2025. 7. Government of Canada. Rabies: for health professionals. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/rabies/for-health-professionals.html. Accessed July 8, 2025. 8. Government of Canada. Rabies: symptoms and treatment. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/rabies.html. Accessed July 8, 2025. 9. Data on file. Bavarian Nordic Canada Inc. January 13, 2025.
