Expert consensus on pre-exposure rabies prophylaxis

Abstract

Pre-exposure rabies prophylaxis, also known as immunoprophylaxis before exposure to rabies, refers to preventive rabies vaccination for individuals at risk of rabies infection before rabies exposure, which is one of the important strategies for rabies prevention. Pre-exposure rabies prophylaxis can reduce the risk of individual rabies and reduce the cost of post-exposure prophylaxis by establishing an immunologic barrier in advance and the memory immune response after the booster. In view of the current situation that clinicians in China have relatively insufficient knowledge of pre-exposure rabies prophylaxis, the Rabies Prevention and Control Committee of the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association and Animal Injury Treatment Branch of China Association for Disaster and Emergency Rescue Medicine organized domestic experts in relevant fields to write this expert consensus in accordance with the latest guidelines, expert consensus, and the latest clinical evidence. This consensus describes the concept and significance of pre-exposure rabies prophylaxis, immunization procedures and cost-effectiveness respectively, and puts forward recommendations on pre-exposure rabies prophylaxis strategies. It is hoped that this consensus can improve clinicians' understanding of pre-exposure rabies prophylaxis and increase the rate of pre-exposure rabies prophylaxis among people at high risk of exposure in China.