Low-dose rabies vaccine

Low-Dose Rabies Vaccine

FDA has licensed a new low-dose rabies vaccineto protect people who are at high risk of exposure to the deadly disease.

Like the standard rabies vaccine, which has beenin use since 1980, the new vaccine is made from rabies viruses grown in cultured human cells. But because it is one-tenth the currently used one-milliliter dose, the vaccine will be much less expensive.

The lower cost may encourage wider use by peoplevisiting or camping in areas where there are many rabid animals. Also, it may be used to protect people traveling abroad to areas where rabies is endemic, such as parts of Africa, India and Latin America.

Both the new form, which is only for pre-exposureuse, and the standard vaccine--which is effective before or after exposure--are injected in three doses over three to four weeks for pre-exposure protection. Booster shots are given about every two years. For post-exposure treatment, five injections of the standard vaccine in the upper arm should begin within five days of exposure.

U.S. studies demonstrated adequate immunity in100 percent of those receiving the new low-dose vaccine.

The new vaccine is manufactured by Institute Merieuxof Lyon, France, and it will be distributed in this country by Merieux Institute Inc. of Miami, Fla.

Rabies in wild animals, including raccoons, skunksand bats, has been an increasing problem in parts of the United States in the past few years, notably in raccoons in the eastern United States.

Thousands of people receive rabies vaccinationseach year, although usually it is after, not before, being bitten or otherwise exposed to rabies.

At present, there is no known method for controllingwildlife rabies. The best means available for protecting humans against exposure to the disease is to immunize pets, which might otherwise expose people. Those at high risk--veterinarians, wildlife conservation personnel staff of quarantine kennels, and laboratory and field personnel working with rabies--should receive pre-exposure immunization. For more about rabies, see "Raccoon-Borne Rabies Spreads' in the September 1983 FDA Consumer.

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