Rabies virus is a neurotropic virus that mainly harms the central nervous system. Vaccination is effective until the virus enters the nervous system, but the earlier the vaccination, the higher the success rate of prevention. If there is a high suspicion that the animal that bit you has rabies, you should get a top-up vaccination in time for more than a month or even a year without symptoms. The rate at which rabies virus invades the human central nervous system and proliferates varies greatly among individuals. According to the guidelines and treatment protocols currently being implemented, formal follow-up treatment should be performed as soon as possible after a grade II or higher exposure. The body begins to produce antibodies approximately 7 d after rabies vaccination, and effective protection is reached in about 14 d. Therefore, vaccination may be effective at any time after an exposure has occurred; it is only for the sake of guaranteed prevention of rabies onset that formal treatment should be carried out as soon as possible, and early vaccination is recommended, preferably within 24 hours. Before the vaccine takes effect, the WHO Expert Advisory Committee on Rabies recommends that for grade III exposure to rabies virus, the wound should be thoroughly cleaned and the surrounding infiltrate injected with a passive immunization agent, i.e., human rabies immunoglobulin or equine-derived anti-rabies serum, at the same time as the vaccination to prevent the virus from entering the neural tissues and thus obtain a rapid protective effect. However, it is important to note that passive immunization preparations and rabies vaccine should not be injected at the same site; it is prohibited to inject rabies vaccine and passive immunization preparations with the same syringe. In addition, pre-exposure prophylactic rabies vaccination is recommended for all individuals who are continuously and frequently exposed to rabies virus in a dangerous environment, such as laboratory workers exposed to rabies virus, health care workers who may be involved in the management of rabies patients, close contacts of rabies patients, veterinarians, animal handlers, and students in agricultural colleges who have frequent contact with animals. In addition, pre-exposure immunization is recommended for tourists traveling to high-risk areas, children living in areas where rabies is endemic, or children traveling to areas with a high incidence of rabies. Therefore, after an exposure occurs, vaccination is effective until the virus enters the nervous system and there is no latest deadline. Protection can also be enhanced with passive immunization preparations before the vaccine takes effect, but the safest approach is to have high-risk groups actively vaccinated in advance for maximum protection.