The rabies vaccine is given to prevent rabies, a serious illness that almost always results in death. The vaccine is given in two forms: pre-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) .
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Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PEP): This is given to people who are at higher risk of exposure to the rabies virus, such as those who work with potentially infected animals. PEP consists of a dose of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and rabies vaccine given on the day of the rabies exposure, and then a dose of vaccine given again on days 3, 7, and 14.
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Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP): This is given to people after an exposure to the rabies virus. The wound site should be thoroughly cleaned with soap and water, and then the vaccine should be given as soon as possible after an exposure but may be given up to 14 days after the exposure.
The rabies vaccine is available in two types: nerve tissue and cell culture vaccines. The vaccines contain inactivated rabies virus, and the cell culture vaccines are more efficacious and safer than the nerve tissue vaccines. The two types of vaccines are:
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HDCV vaccine (Imovax, Sanofi): This is produced in human diploid cell culture.
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PCECV vaccine (RabAvert, Bavarian): This is produced in chick embryo cell culture.
For people who have never been vaccinated against rabies previously, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) should always include administration of both HRIG and rabies vaccine. People who have been previously vaccinated or are receiving pre-exposure vaccination for rabies should receive only vaccine.
