Most Common Effects

• The most common side effects associated with the rabies vaccine are itching, redness, soreness or swelling at the injection site. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), up to 74 percent of people have at least one of these reactions.
  
  

Other Side Effects

• Additional common side effects include abdominal pain, nausea, headache, dizziness and muscle aches. Up to 40 percent of people have at least one of these side effects.
  
  

Less Common Effects

• Other possible but less common rabies vaccine side effects include chills, low-grade fever, fatigue, general body discomfort, hives, joint pain and weakness.
  
  

Rare Side Effect

• Very rarely, people receiving the rabies vaccine develop an illness similar to Guillain-Barré syndrome, with the main symptom being muscle weakness. The CDC says these people also have a complete recovery.
  
  

Allergic Reaction

• Another rare possibility is a serious reaction to the shot. Signs are rash or hives, itching, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, and facial or mouth swelling.