Rabies-prevention policy update: new reduced-dose schedule

Pediatrics. 2011 Apr;127(4):785-7. doi: 10.1542/peds.2011-0095. Epub 2011 Mar 28.

Abstract

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends reducing the number of doses from 5 to 4 of human diploid cell vaccine or purified chick embryo cell vaccine required for postexposure prophylaxis to prevent rabies in humans. The vaccine doses should be given on day 0 (first day of prophylaxis) and days 3, 7, and 14 after the first dose. For persons with immune suppression, the 5-dose regimen should continue to be used. Recommendations for the use of human rabies immunoglobulin remain unchanged. The American Academy of Pediatrics endorses these recommendations.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Guideline Adherence
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance / immunology
  • Immunization, Passive
  • Immunization, Secondary
  • Rabies / immunology
  • Rabies / prevention & control*
  • Rabies Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Rabies Vaccines / immunology

Substances

  • Rabies Vaccines