Human Rabies Exposure

Pre-exposure Rabies Vaccine Program

  • Please note: Effective 2024, vaccination for rabies pre-exposure is no longer available at the Frederick County Health Department.

  • Individuals who work in high-risk areas (such as Veterinarians, Vet Assistants, Animal Control staff and the Parks Service) where exposure to a rabid animal would be likely and need to receive rabies pre-exposure should go to the Safeway Pharmacy in Walkersville or to Passport Health.

    • The Safeway is located at 151 Walkers Village Way, Walkersville, MD 21793. They can be reached by phone at (301) 845-2888

    • Passport Health is located at 3 College Ave, Frederick, MD 21701. They can be reached by phone at  (301) 408-4544. 

Post-exposure Rabies Vaccine Program

  • Please note: Effective February 11, 2013 treatment for rabies post-exposure is no longer available at the Frederick County Health Department.
  • Individuals who need to receive the first dose of rabies post-exposure should go to the Frederick Health Hospital (FHH) Emergency Department. Subsequent vaccines can be administered at the Frederick Health Toll House Urgent Care by walk-in. 
    • Frederick Health Toll House Urgent Care is located at 501 W 7th Street, Frederick, Maryland 21701
  • You can contact FHH Emergency Department at 240-566-3500 or FH Toll House Urgent Care at 301-698-8374.


Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) - What to Expect if you need Rabies PEP


State law

Maryland law, which can be viewed on the state's website here, mandates that all animal bites or non-bite exposures be reported immediately to the Frederick County Animal Control Center. Individuals that know of a dog, cat or other warm blooded animals that has bitten, scratched or otherwise exposed an individual to a possible rabies infection must contact Animal Control immediately to report this exposure. This includes health care providers as well as community members. 

Contact Animal Control at 301-600-1544 or for emergencies only 301-600-1603.

Health Education

Contact the Frederick County Health Department with questions about prevention and transmission, pre-exposure rabies vaccine and post-exposure rabies vaccine at 301-600-1733.