Is 7 days too late for rabies vaccine after a possible non-bite exposure?

No, 7 days is not too late to initiate rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after a possible exposure, whether it is a bite or non-bite exposure.

Rabies PEP should be started as soon as possible after an exposure, but it can still be effective even if initiated several days later. Here are some key points:

• The combination of wound washing, human rabies immune globulin (HRIG), and a series of rabies vaccines is recommended for both bite and non-bite exposures, regardless of the interval between exposure and initiation of treatment, as long as the patient is not showing signs consistent with rabies45.
• It is crucial to start the vaccination series as soon as possible, but delaying treatment for a few days does not necessarily mean it is too late. The goal is to initiate treatment before symptoms of rabies appear, as once symptoms develop, it is generally too late for effective treatment3.

Therefore, if there has been a possible non-bite exposure, seeking medical attention and starting PEP within 7 days is still highly recommended and can be effective.