What is the name of the injection administered to provide immediate temporary protection against rabies?

The injection that provides immediate temporary protection against rabies is known as immune globulin. This treatment typically involves the administration of rabies immune globulin (RIG), which contains antibodies specifically designed to neutralize the rabies virus if a person is bitten or exposed to a potentially rabid animal.

Rabies immune globulin works quickly to provide passive immunity, which is critical in the period before the body can mount an effective immune response. While vaccines develop lasting immunity, immune globulin acts fast to offer immediate protection until the vaccine can take effect, making it an essential part of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.

The other options, while related to immunization and treatment, do not specifically provide the immediate protection that immune globulin does. Vaccination typically refers to the administration of a vaccine that helps to stimulate the body’s own immune response over time. Antiserum can also be used to refer to serum containing antibodies, but it is not specific to rabies. Antivenom is a treatment for venomous animal bites, not for viral infections like rabies. Therefore, immune globulin is the most accurate choice for immediate protection against rabies.