[Effectiveness and tolerance of the rabies vaccine Lyssavac Berna]

Rabies vaccine derived from human diploid cells (Wyeth, Merieux) and the duck embryo vaccine Lyssavac Berna are prepared from beta-propiolactone-inactivated Pitman-Moore vaccine virus strain. A group of 113 seronegative veterinary students was vaccinated with Lyssavac Berna according to the 4-dose immunization schedule recommended by WHO. Seroconversion was obtained in all test persons. The vaccine was very well tolerated. In agreement with the literature we also found a relatively fast decline in the neutralizing antibody titer after this immunization procedure. However, a booster injection after one year resulted in an antibody rise with titer values comparable with or higher than those obtained after the primary vaccination course. An annual single revaccination dose should be sufficient to protect people at risk.