RABIES VACCINATION

RABIES VACCINATION

The old, conventional vaccine (Semple vaccine), an inactivated (by treatment with an agent called beta propriolactone) suspension of sheep brain, carries high risk of neuroplogic reactions (meningoencephalitis, ascending paralysis, polyneuritis). There is no justification for using it in the wake of availability of two potent and safe vaccines:

1. FLSC (Human diploid cells) vaccine is a sure, safe and painless preventive measure against hydrophobia. It is lympholized, stabilized suspension of rabies virus completely inactivated by B-proloctone. It is prepared on the human deployed cells. The vaccine is given as 1 ml subcutaneous injection immediately after exposure, on third day, 7^th day, 14^th day,30^th day and 90^th day. Incase antirabies treatment is begun immediately with cleansing of the bitten area with soap ad water administration of antirabies serum (human or animal) sixth injection may well be missed. HDC rabies vaccine, unlike the conventional antirabies vaccine, is very safe. In 1% redness and induration at the injection site may occur. Slight pyrexia and asthenia occur with the same frequency.
2. PCEC (purified chick embryo cell) is next to HDC in potency. Its administration is the same schedule as for HDC vaccine.

With the availability of HDC and PCEC vaccines, there is hardly any justification for using the old antirabic vaccine ( NTV).

Seroprophylaxis with rabies human immunoglobulin (RHIG), 20 IU/kg, or rabies animal immunoserum, 40Ill/kg, as a single injection is recommended in all cases with severe exposure. It should be given as soon as possible preferably immediately after the bite. After 7 to 8 days of bite, it is unlikely to be of any benefit. Half of the dose is infiltrated in the tissues around the bite and the remaining half is injected intramuscularly.