Rabies continues to claim lives despite being one of the most preventable viral diseases. A senior pediatrician has now reignited an important conversation among parents by urging them to vaccinate children against rabies before any dog bite occurs. Her message is simple but urgent: waiting for an emergency can cost lives.
In a recent video that quickly gained attention, pediatrician Dr Deepa Aggarwal spoke to public through her Instagram account @drdeepa.shishucare, about the importance of pre exposure rabies vaccination for children. Drawing from both medical evidence and personal experience, she shared that she had already vaccinated her own daughter as a preventive measure.
Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. The virus spreads mainly through dog bites, especially from unvaccinated or stray dogs. Children are particularly vulnerable because they often play outdoors, interact with animals, and may not immediately report a bite or scratch.
Dr Aggarwal explained that many parents underestimate how common dog bites are and how quickly rabies exposure can turn into a medical emergency. In India, most rabies cases still result from dog bites, making early prevention critical.
Pre exposure rabies vaccination prepares the body to fight the virus before any contact occurs. According to Dr Aggarwal, this preventive approach requires just two doses of the rabies vaccine. The first dose is given on day zero and the second on day seven.
This schedule is simple and well tolerated by children. It does not replace treatment after a bite but significantly reduces complications if exposure occurs later.
Most people seek rabies vaccination only after a dog bite. This reactive approach often involves a combination of multiple vaccine doses and rabies immunoglobulin. Dr Aggarwal highlighted several issues with this method.
Rabies immunoglobulin injections are painful because doctors inject them around the wound site. They are also expensive, often costing between five thousand and ten thousand rupees. Availability remains another concern, especially in smaller towns or during emergencies when time is critical.
Children who have already received pre exposure vaccination do not require rabies immunoglobulin after a bite. They only need two booster doses of the vaccine. This makes treatment faster, less traumatic, and more affordable for families.
Dr Aggarwal stressed that pre exposure rabies vaccination is not limited to children with pets. It is especially useful for children who play outdoors frequently, live in areas with a high stray dog population, stay in hostels, or travel often.
She reminded parents that emergencies do not come with warnings. Searching for hospitals, vaccines, or immunoglobulin during panic only adds to the stress.
Rabies vaccines approved for human use are safe and effective. Millions receive them worldwide every year. Yet awareness remains low, and many families act only after exposure.
Dr Aggarwal’s advice is rooted in prevention rather than fear. By vaccinating children early, parents can protect them from one of the deadliest infections known to medicine. The choice, she says, should be made calmly today rather than desperately tomorrow.
(Rh/ARC)
