Revised 4-Dose Vaccine Schedule as Part of Postexposure Prophylaxis to Prevent Human Rabies

Abstract

There is overwhelming evidence that the 4-dose vaccine schedule as part of postexposure prophylaxis to prevent human rabies for previously unvaccinated persons, as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States in 2009, is safe and effective. When used appropriately with timely wound care and administration of human rabies immune globulin, the administration of 4 doses of vaccine on days 0, 3, 7, and 14 is likely to induce an adequate,long-lasting antibody response that is able to neutralize rabies virus and prevent disease in exposed patients. There has been no change in the recommended regimen for pre-exposure prophylaxis and for postexposure prophylaxis of previously vaccinated persons or for immunosuppressed patients.