The Basics
What is Rabies Vaccine?
Used to prevent rabies in people who have been bitten by an animal or otherwise exposed to the rabies virus.
Brand names for Rabies Vaccine
Imovax
How Rabies Vaccine is classified
Vaccines
Rabies Vaccine During Pregnancy
Rabies Vaccine pregnancy category
Category CNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.
What we know about taking Rabies Vaccine while pregnant
Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Imovax Rabies vaccine. It is also not known whether Imovax Rabies vaccine can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproductive capacity. Imovax Rabies vaccine should be given to a pregnant woman only if potential benefits outweigh potential risks. If there is substantial risk of exposure to rabies, pre-exposure prophylaxis may also be indicated during pregnancy.11 Post-exposure Because of the potential consequences of inadequately treated rabies exposure and limited data that indicate that fetal abnormalities have not been associated with rabies vaccination, pregnancy is not considered a contraindication to post-exposure prophylaxis.11,17
Taking Rabies Vaccine While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Rabies Vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and several health professional organizations state that vaccines given to a nursing mother do not affect the safety of breastfeeding for mothers or infants and that breastfeeding is not a contraindication to rabies vaccine. Breastfed infants should be vaccinated according to the routine recommended schedules.[1][2][3]
Maternal / infant drug levels
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and several health professional organizations state that vaccines given to a nursing mother do not affect the safety of breastfeeding for mothers or infants and that breastfeeding is not a contraindication to rabies vaccine. Breastfed infants should be vaccinated according to the routine recommended schedules.[1][2][3]
Possible effects of Rabies Vaccine on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible alternatives to Rabies Vaccine
None listed
List of References
Lactation sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/1. General recommendations on immunization — recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2011;60 (RR-2):1-64. PMID: 21293327
2. Gruslin A, Steben M, Halperin S et al. Immunization in pregnancy: No. 220, December 2008. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2009;105:187-91. PMID: 19367691
3. American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases, Kimberlin DW, Brady MT et al. Red Book: 2015 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 30th ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics. 2015.
4. Pabst HF. Immunomodulation by breast-feeding. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1997;16:991-5. PMID: 9380478
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.
