This vaccine helps protect you against rabies, a serious infection spread by the bite or scratch of an infected animal.
IMOVAX RABIES is listed under Health Canada DIN 01908286. The product record and monograph below describe this formulation; the dose schedule comes from the Canadian Immunization Guide.
At a glance
Brand
IMOVAX RABIES
DIN
01908286
Vaccine
Rabies virus, inactivated (human diploid cell)
Presentation
2.5 IU / vial · powder for suspension · intramuscular · any age
Live vaccine
No
Age and suitability depend on the product, the person and the reason for vaccination. Use the planner for a starting point and confirm with a healthcare professional.
Official sources
Use the DIN to confirm this exact product in Health Canada's Drug Product Database.
A listed product may not be stocked or publicly funded.
Before and after your vaccination
Bring your immunization record if you have one, so earlier doses can be checked.
Tell the healthcare professional about a serious reaction to a previous vaccine or an ingredient, and mention any health conditions or medicines that could affect your vaccination.
After the dose, stay where you can be observed for at least 15 minutes. Tell someone right away if you feel faint or develop symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Keep a record of the vaccine name, date and dose you received.
The details below are adapted from a Pharmasist patient handout linked to the same product monograph. The current Canadian Immunization Guide determines the dose schedules shown later.
What this vaccine helps prevent
This vaccine helps protect you against rabies, a serious infection spread by the bite or scratch of an infected animal.
It can be given before a possible exposure to lower your risk (pre-exposure), or right after a bite, scratch, or other possible exposure to prevent the infection from developing (post-exposure).
It is approved for people of all ages, including infants and older adults.
What to mention before a dose
Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a rabies vaccine or to any of its ingredients.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any illness that affects your immune system, or if you take medicines that suppress your immune system, such as long-term steroids.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have a fever or feel unwell, since a pre-exposure dose may need to be delayed. This does not apply if you have already been exposed to a possible rabies source.
How it is given
This vaccine is given as an injection into a muscle, usually in your upper arm, by a nurse or other trained healthcare professional.
In infants and young children, the injection may be given into the thigh muscle instead.
The vaccine is never given into the buttock, since this makes it less effective.
This is an injected medicine, so there is nothing to swallow and no food timing to think about.
If you are being treated after a possible exposure, you may also receive a separate medicine called rabies immunoglobulin, given as a different injection, often around your wound.
Important things to know
Serious allergic reactions can happen after any dose of this vaccine. Your healthcare provider will have treatment ready in case this happens, and you may be asked to wait at the clinic for a short time after your injection.
Fainting can happen around the time of an injection, especially in teenagers and young adults. Let your provider know if you feel lightheaded so you can sit or lie down safely.
Effects you may notice
Soreness, redness, swelling, or bruising where you had the injection is very common.
Feeling generally unwell (malaise) is common.
Muscle aches are common.
Headache is common.
A mild fever can happen.
Feeling tired or weak can happen.
Chills can happen.
Feeling sick to your stomach, belly pain, or diarrhea can happen.
Dizziness can happen.
Joint pain can happen.
Swollen glands (lymph nodes) can happen.
When to contact a healthcare professional
Contact your healthcare provider if the injection site becomes very swollen, warm, or painful, or if redness spreads.
Contact your healthcare provider if you feel faint or unwell for more than a day or two after your injection.
Contact your healthcare provider if you have questions about your risk after a possible animal exposure.
When to get emergency help
Get emergency help for signs of a severe allergic reaction: swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; hives spreading over your body; or trouble breathing.
Get emergency help for a rash with fever and joint pain appearing several days after your injection.
Get emergency help for a severe headache with stiff neck, confusion, seizures, or new weakness or numbness.
Other medicines and vaccines
Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you take, especially steroids or other medicines that weaken your immune system, since these can make the vaccine less effective.
If you need any other vaccine around the same time, tell your provider so it can be given at a separate site.
No specific food or alcohol restrictions are known for this vaccine.
Key points to remember
Keep a written record of your rabies vaccination dates in case you need proof of past vaccination.
Tell every doctor, clinic, or travel health provider about your rabies vaccination history.
If you are ever bitten or scratched by an animal, wash the wound well with soap and water right away and seek medical care promptly, even if you have been vaccinated before.
These are Canadian Immunization Guide schedules associated with this DIN. The right schedule depends on age, health, prior doses and reason for vaccination. Public health recommendations may differ from a product monograph's authorized schedule.
Rabies before exposure — three doses (days 0, 7 and 21 to 28)
3 doses
Three doses over 3 to 4 weeks for people at high risk of rabies exposure.
Pre-exposure series for very-high-risk and high-risk groups (laboratory workers, veterinarians, animal control, travellers to high-risk areas with limited access to care): days 0, 7 and 21 to 28. Moderate-risk people may use a two-dose day 0 and day 7 to 28 schedule. This is not the schedule after an animal bite.
Rabies before exposure — weakened immune system, three doses plus blood test
3 doses
Three doses on days 0, 7 and 21 to 28, with a blood test 2 to 4 weeks after the series.
Immunocompromised people in any risk group receive the full three-dose pre-exposure series on days 0, 7 and 21 to 28. A blood test 2 to 4 weeks after the series is mandatory; extra doses may be needed if the antibody level is inadequate.
Family guidance on pregnancy: After an exposure, treatment is always given. Pre-exposure vaccination is deferred unless the risk during pregnancy is increased.
Family guidance on breastfeeding: Use if indicated.
General information only. A suggested date is not an appointment or a prescription; a healthcare professional confirms what you need. Clinical rules reviewed on 2026-09-27.