Nobivac^® Rabies Questions and Answers

For the active immunisation against rabies to reduce clinical signs and mortality.

An adequate serological response (≥ 0.5 I.U.) has been demonstrated 2 to 3 weeks after vaccination. However rules for travelling abroad with a dog, cat or ferret typically specify a minimum interval of 21 days following primary vaccination before they can travel abroad. Always check the most up-to-date information on the Government website (https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad) well in advance of the planned travel.

The duration of immunity for Nobivac Rabies is 3 years.

Can be used during pregnancy in dogs. There is no laboratory data on use during pregnancy in other species, but on basis of field experience, such use is expected to be safe.

We do not hold specific data regarding use during lactation and therefore cannot recommend this use during this period.

Nobivac Rabies is required to be stored in a refrigerator between 2 °C and 8 °C and protect from light.

There are no breed specific contraindications for Nobivac Rabies.

Safety and efficacy data are available which demonstrate that Nobivac Rabies can be mixed and administered with vaccines in the Nobivac range containing one or more of the following components: live canine distemper, canine adenovirus, canine parvovirus and canine parainfluenza or live feline viral rhinotracheitis virus, feline calicivirus and feline panleucopenia virus. 

Safety and efficacy data are available which demonstrate that Nobivac Rabies can be administered on the same day but not mixed with Nobivac vaccines containing canine Leptospira interrogans serogroups Canicola and Icterohaemorrhagiae antigens.

Note that we do not recommend physical mixing of Nobivac Rabies with both Nobivac leptospirosis, DHP, DHPPi, or Pi vaccines in the same syringe- this 3 vaccine combination would constitute an off-label use for which there is not adequate data.

No information is available on the safety and efficacy of this vaccine when used with any other veterinary medicinal product except the products mentioned above. A decision to use this vaccine before or after any other veterinary medicinal product therefore needs to be made on a case by case basis. This product should not be given for at least one month following the administration of hyperimmune serum or immunosuppressant drugs.

Primary vaccination age* 12 weeks or older

Booster vaccination every 3 years

Route of administration intramuscularly or subcutaneously

* Primary vaccination may be administered at an earlier age (4 week minimum age for dogs and cats), but then a repeat vaccination must be given at the age of 12 weeks.

Health regulations and requirements in certain countries specify that dogs must be revaccinated annually against rabies.

The Summary of Product Characteristics for Nobivac Rabies states that if the primary vaccination is administered at an earlier age, a repeat vaccination must be given at the age of 12 weeks.

For EU travel purposes the most recent Nobivac Rabies vaccine must also be given at a minimum of 12 weeks or older.

Thiomersal is a mercury-containing preservative which is sometimes used in the manufacture of vaccines. None of the small animal freeze-dried vaccines contain mercury. However, some vaccine products available as multi-dose vials in some parts of the world contain trace quantities of mercury as thiomersal or other similar compounds. This preservative is vital for ensuring potentially dangerous bacterial and fungal pathogens cannot readily contaminate such vials once broached.

Thiomersal is found in Nobivac Rabies. This preservative has not been associated causally with adverse events since its inclusion in human vaccinations in the 1930’s and the amount included in veterinary vaccines is kept to a minimum, in order to ensure bacterial and fungal growth does not occur.

There are no specific safety concerns in relation to the trace amounts of mercury that may be present in veterinary vaccines nor indeed in those that have been used for humans. In contrast, where they are used, they give considerable safety benefits in the day to day use of such products.