Rabies Vaccination

[europeannomad]

I'm staying in Nan Province for quite some time already. There are lots of stray dogs and cats around the house and even some bats on the roof of the nearby temple. Additionally I spend a lot of time in the green.

 

Therefore I went to the Nan Hospital today in order to get a rabies vaccination. 

 

I have never been bitten until now and would just like to get the vaccination because in my opinion prevention is better than cure.

 

After waiting for the usual 5 hours, the doctor said that she had to inform me that rabies shots were only available for people which have been bitten.

 

As I learnt over time, discussions are useless in such situations. So I just left the hospital.

 

My questions: 

 

Are there readers with similar experiences?

 

Does anybody know a good address for rabies vaccination in northern Thailand? How much does it cost?

 

Thank you in advance for your input.

[Sheryl]

The pre-exposure vaccine is an entirely different compound than the one administered  post-exposure (after a bite). It is quite possible that the hospital only has the latter vaccine.

 

For pre-exposure vaccine (an excellent idea) I am not sure you can find it in Nan, but if it is there the place that would know about it is the local Public Health Office

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nan-Provincial-Public-Health-Office/547535935353532?rf=1457979277755082

 

 

[ClutchClark]

56 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

The pre-exposure vaccine is an entirely different compound than the one administered  post-exposure (after a bite). It is quite possible that the hospital only has the latter vaccine.

 

For pre-exposure vaccine (an excellent idea) I am not sure you can find it in Nan, but if it is there the place that would know about it is the local Public Health Office

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nan-Provincial-Public-Health-Office/547535935353532?rf=1457979277755082

 

 

 

Isn't the pre-exposure vaccine also the first shot to be administered post-exposure.? 

 

Its the Immuno-globulin, correct? 

 

From either human or equine sources? 

 

Its been awhile since I have had the series of shots and my brain is rusty on the topic. 

[Sheryl]

Immune globulin is altogether different, it is not a vaccine but rather the actual serum with antibodies. Depending on the nature of the exposure, it may be required for persons who did not have pre-exposure immunization,. It is not nece4ssary for people who are already immunized, nor for some low-risk types of wounds (scratches/abrasions etc).

 

On further examination I find that the type of rabies vaccine used post-exposure in Thailand can, in fact, be used for pre-exposure prophylaxis. However the government  hospitals may not have sufficient stock for that purpose.  A private hospital ought to be able to, but AFAIK there aren't any in Nan. Phitsanoluk has several, though, if OP has occasion to go there.