1Rabies Vaccination Schedule India
The official rabies vaccination schedule in India follows the Essen regimen — approved by WHO, NCDC India, and the National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP). The schedule consists of 4 doses of anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) given on Days 0, 3, 7, and 28 after the first dose.
This schedule applies equally to dog bites, monkey bites, cat bites, and any Category II or Category III animal exposure. The same Day 0, 3, 7, 28 schedule is also used for the intradermal route (IDRV).
| Dose | Day | Interval | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dose 1 | Day 0 | Same day as bite — immediately | IM or ID |
| Dose 2 | Day 3 | 3 days after Dose 1 | IM or ID |
| Dose 3 | Day 7 | 7 days after Dose 1 | IM or ID |
| Dose 4 | Day 28 | 28 days after Dose 1 — final dose | IM or ID |
The anti-rabies vaccine is available free of cost at government hospitals, PHCs, CHCs, and district hospitals under the National Rabies Control Programme. Private clinic charges range from ₹250–₹600 per dose.
2ARV Injection Schedule — Days 0, 3, 7, 28
The standard anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) schedule in India follows the Essen regimen — 4 intramuscular doses on specific days after the first dose (Day 0).
| Dose | Day | When to Get It |
|---|---|---|
| Dose 1 | Day 0 | Same day as bite — as soon as possible |
| Dose 2 | Day 3 | 3 days after first ARV dose |
| Dose 3 | Day 7 | 7 days after first ARV dose |
| Dose 4 | Day 28 | Final dose — 28 days after first dose |
This schedule applies to immunocompetent adults and children. Immunocompromised patients (HIV, transplant recipients, those on steroids) may need a 5th dose on Day 90 — consult your doctor.
3IDRV Schedule — Intradermal Rabies Vaccine Dates
The IDRV (Intradermal Rabies Vaccine) schedule follows the same day pattern — Days 0, 3, 7, and 28 — making this ARV calculator equally useful for IDRV date calculation. The key difference is route and dose volume.
| Feature | IM Essen (Standard) | IDRV (Intradermal) |
|---|---|---|
| Days | 0, 3, 7, 28 | 0, 3, 7, 28 |
| Route | Intramuscular (IM) | Intradermal (ID) |
| Dose per site | 0.5–1 ml | 0.1 ml per site |
| Sites on Day 0 | 1 site (deltoid) | 2 sites |
| Vaccine used | Full vial | Fraction of vial |
4Dog Bite Injection Schedule in India
After a dog bite in India, the standard dog bite injection schedule includes wound washing and immediate visit to hospital for the first ARV dose. The complete dog bite vaccine schedule:
- Immediately: Wash wound with soap and water for 15 minutes; apply antiseptic (povidone-iodine)
- Day 0: First ARV dose (IM deltoid) + RIG if Category III bite (deep wound, bleeding)
- Day 3: Second ARV dose at nearest hospital or PHC
- Day 7: Third ARV dose
- Day 28: Fourth and final ARV dose — do not miss this
5Monkey Bite Injection Schedule
A monkey bite carries the same rabies risk as a dog bite in India. The anti-rabies vaccine schedule for monkey bites is identical — 4 doses on Days 0, 3, 7, and 28. Urban areas with aggressive monkeys (near temples and markets) see frequent bites; always seek immediate PEP.
6Do I Need RIG (Rabies Immunoglobulin)?
RIG/ERIG is required for Category III bites — deep wounds, bleeding bites, bat exposure, or licks on broken skin. It must be administered on Day 0 alongside the first vaccine dose. It cannot be given after Day 0. For Category II bites (scratches, superficial wounds, minor bleeding), vaccine alone is sufficient.
ERIG dose calculation: 40 IU/kg body weight. Human RIG (HRIG) dose is 20 IU/kg. The maximum dose is infiltrated around the wound; any remainder is given IM. ERIG is more widely available and affordable in India compared to HRIG.
Note: Standard IM ARV dose is usually 0.5 ml or 1.0 ml per injection depending on the manufacturer guidelines.
🔗 Auto-calculate ERIG/HRIG dose by weight →7Rabies Vaccine Brands Available in India
Common WHO-approved cell culture rabies vaccines available in India:
| Brand | Manufacturer | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Rabipur | Bavarian Nordic | PCECV (Purified Chick Embryo Cell) |
| Verorab | Sanofi | PVRV (Purified Vero Cell) |
| Indirab | Bharat Biotech | PVRV — Made in India |
| Abhayrab | Human Biologicals | PVRV — Made in India |
All brands are equivalent for PEP. Nerve tissue vaccines (Semple/Fermi) are no longer recommended by WHO or NCDC India.
8Frequently Asked Questions
How many injections are needed after a dog bite in India?
4 injections total for the standard Essen regimen — on Days 0, 3, 7, and 28. Some older schedules used 5 doses (adding Day 14); the current WHO and NCDC recommendation is 4 doses for immunocompetent patients.
How do I calculate my ARV dates from today?
Click "Use Today's Date" in the calculator above. Your ARV schedule will show all 4 injection dates instantly. Day 0 = today, Day 3 = 3 days from today, Day 7 = 7 days from today, Day 28 = 28 days from today.
What are IDRV dates and how are they calculated?
IDRV (Intradermal Rabies Vaccine) uses the same day schedule — Days 0, 3, 7, 28. Use this calculator to get your IDRV dates from today. The only difference from IM is the injection technique and dose volume, not the timing.
Do I need ARV after a monkey bite?
Yes. Monkey bites in India carry rabies risk, especially in Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and urban areas with rhesus macaques. The ARV schedule (Days 0, 3, 7, 28) is the same as for dog bites.
Is the rabies vaccine free in government hospitals?
Yes — anti-rabies vaccine is available free at government hospitals, PHCs, and CHCs under the National Rabies Control Programme. Private clinics charge ₹250–₹600 per dose (₹1,000–₹2,400 total for 4 doses).
What if I miss an ARV dose date?
Take the missed dose as soon as possible and continue remaining doses on the original schedule. Do not restart the series. Contact your doctor if you have missed Dose 4 (Day 28) by a significant margin.
Can I get rabies from a vaccinated dog?
Risk is very low from a fully vaccinated dog, but NCDC guidelines recommend wound washing and medical consultation for all bites. Whether full PEP is needed depends on the dog's vaccination status, behaviour after the bite, and local rabies epidemiology — your doctor will advise.
What is the difference between Essen and Zagreb regimens?
The Essen regimen uses 4 IM doses (Days 0, 3, 7, 28) — one injection per visit, 4 clinic visits. The Zagreb regimen uses 2 injections on Day 0, then one dose on Days 7 and 21 — only 3 clinic visits. Both provide equivalent protection; Essen is more commonly used in India.
What is the ARV dose in ml (ERIG calculation)?
Standard IM ARV dose is 0.5 ml (some brands 1.0 ml) per injection. For IDRV, it's 0.1 ml per site. ERIG dose is 40 IU/kg body weight. For a 60 kg person, ERIG = 2,400 IU. Use the full PEP calculator for ERIG/HRIG dosing.
Medical disclaimer: This calculator is for educational and clinical decision-support purposes only. It does not replace clinical judgment or specialist consultation. Always follow advice from a qualified healthcare professional for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. RxMedCalc is not liable for decisions made solely on this tool.