The rabies vaccine does not provide lifelong immunity. Generally, effective protection lasts for about six months after the full five doses of vaccination. If a dog or cat scratches and bites you within six months after vaccination, you do not need to get vaccinated again. If a dog or cat scratches and bites you again within six months to one year, you need a booster vaccination, i.e. one rabies vaccination on day 0 and one rabies vaccination on day 3. If you are bitten more than one year after receiving the rabies vaccine, you need to receive the full rabies vaccination again. For those who have never been vaccinated, a full vaccination is required for dog or cat bites. In addition, regardless of how long you have been vaccinated, the first time you are bitten you should treat the wound by flushing and squeezing it with plenty of running water, better with soapy water, and then disinfecting it locally with alcohol and iodophor. Once rabies strikes, the mortality rate is almost 100% and there is no effective treatment. All those bitten by cats, dogs and other animals should be vaccinated against rabies immediately.