Preexposure Rabies Vaccinations

An estimated 18,000 people per year in the U.S. receive rabies preexposure prophylaxis. Preexposure vaccination is recommended for persons in high-risk groups, such as veterinarians, animal handlers, certain laboratory workers, other persons whose activities bring them into frequent contact with rabies virus or potentially rabid species, and international travelers likely to come in contact with animals in areas of enzootic dog rabies that lack immediate access to appropriate medical care.