Objective: To demonstrate the safety and immunogenicity of intradermal rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis with purified chick embryo cell vaccine (PCECV) in schoolchildren age 5 to 8 years in Thailand.
Study design: In a randomized, open-label, phase II clinical trial, 2 or 3 intradermal doses of 0.1 mL PCECV (Rabipur) were administered to 703 schoolchildren on days 0 and 28 or on days 0, 7, and 28. In 206 children, 2 simulated post-exposure booster doses were given 1 year after the primary vaccination series. Rabies virus- neutralizing antibody (RVNA) titers were determined by the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test.
Results: In school-age children in Thailand, a pre-exposure immunization regimen of 3 intradermal doses of PCECV produced adequate immune responses. After primary vaccination, all subjects developed RVNA titers > or =0.5 IU/mL and demonstrated a rapid increase in RVNA titer after 2 simulated post-exposure booster immunizations 1 year after the primary vaccination series. No serious adverse drug reactions occurred.
Conclusions: Rabies pre-exposure immunization with PCECV is safe and immunogenic, and its implementation could save the lives of many children in rabies-endemic areas.