Rabies vaccine

The rabies vaccine is a crucial prophylactic tool used worldwide for the prevention of rabies, a severe, often fatal viral disease. The virus is typically transmitted to humans through bites or scratches from infected mammals, primarily bats and dogs. Since the introduction of the first rabies vaccine in 1885 by Louis Pasteur, the vaccine's safety and efficacy have significantly improved, saving countless lives. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the rabies vaccine as one of the essential medicines in global health.

Composition and Function

Rabies vaccines consist of inactivated or attenuated rabies virus. These components trigger an immune response, resulting in the production of antibodies that can neutralize the rabies virus. Modern vaccines are typically cell-culture or embryonated egg-based, providing a safer and more potent alternative to earlier nerve tissue vaccines.

Administration and Indications

Rabies vaccines are administered in two main contexts: pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

PrEP involves immunizing individuals who are at a higher risk of exposure to the virus, such as veterinarians, wildlife workers, and travelers to rabies-endemic regions. It typically involves a series of three injections over 21 to 28 days.

PEP, on the other hand, is administered after a potential exposure to the virus, particularly following a bite or scratch from an animal suspected of being rabid. PEP is a medical emergency and includes immediate wound care, a course of the rabies vaccine, and the administration of rabies immune globulin if the individual is not previously vaccinated.

Global Impact

Millions of people worldwide receive the rabies vaccine annually, particularly in regions where the virus is endemic in domestic dog populations. The vaccine has played a pivotal role in significantly reducing the global burden of rabies, but the disease remains a significant problem in many developing countries.

The World Health Organization, in collaboration with other global health bodies, has set a goal for zero human dog-mediated rabies deaths by 2030, with the widespread use of the rabies vaccine central to achieving this target.

References

• WHO: Rabies
• CDC: Rabies - Medical Care
• PubMed: History of rabies and global aspects

Rabies vaccine Resources
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