Current issues in human rabies immunization.
Rabies infection in humans is still a major public health problem, causing upwards of 20,000 deaths per year. The prevalent vaccine is still the nerve-tissue vaccine, which, although improved, necessitates the use of long and painful application schedules and fails to provide safe and reaction-free protection. A new generation of low-cost, purified rabies vaccines released in the last 2 years promises a revolution in rabies immunization in less-developed, rabies endemic countries, providing protection comparable to that of human diploid cell vaccine at the cost of Semple-type vaccine. Devising an appropriate technology for human rabies immunization includes new regimens of administration, one of which, a revised intramuscular regimen requiring only four doses and three clinic visits, proved highly efficient for postexposure treatment.
Vodopija
I
I
Department of Epidemiology, Zagreb Institute of Public Health, Yugoslavia.
D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D011818:Rabies / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D014611:Vaccination / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*
D011819:Rabies Vaccines