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Is my family safe from rabies if my puppy got a vaccine too early?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Female | 4 months and 22 days old | 4.5 lbs

If the dog is vaccined against rabies { 1st shot ) 10 15 days ago when she is 1 and half months old Then the human is how many % safe from rabies ?

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on November 1st, 2019

Is Jimmy almost 4-5 months old or is she 6 weeks old? It is unclear based on your question versus the pet's info line.
The rabies vaccine should not be given before 12 weeks of age. In a dog older than 12 weeks of age, the rabies vaccine takes about 2 weeks to confer protection. After this time period, there should be reasonable protection. No vaccine is 100% effective at preventing disease though.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Elizabeth
Veterinarian
Published on December 1st, 2019
Vaccines take 7-14 days to take full effect. A pet can only get rabies if it came in contact with another animal who actually has rabies. If your puppy has not come in contact with a rabid animal, it cannot get rabies. Please feel free to post any additional questions.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on October 21st, 2019
If Jimmy got his rabies vaccine for the first time, he will not be fully protected against it. He needs a booster given four weeks after the first to get fully protected. After this second vaccine, 10 days after it was given, he will fully protected.

As for your scenario, I don't think you have to worry about rabies in that case.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on March 23rd, 2019
Great questions! I recommend the male dog is at least six months of age to get fixed, but you can wait until Dakota is a year of age before doing it. As for the rabies shot, a puppy can first get it at 12 weeks of age, so at four months old, he is old enough for it. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on May 20th, 2019
Hello. Yes, a 4 year old dog can & should have a rabies vaccination administered by a veterinarian. It is never too late to do this. Meeka will need a booster in 1 year, but after this one year booster, you may elect ( & if your veterinarian offers this ), a rabies booster every 3 years thereafter. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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