Immunogenicity and acceptability of a human diploid-cell culture rabies vaccine in volunteers

A rabies vaccine, prepared in human diploid-cell culture, was given intradermally (i.d.) or intramuscularly (i.m.) to 35 volumteers who had not previously received prophylactic immunisation. Rabies neutralising antibody titres rose sharply after the first dose, and 4 weeks after the second dose all titres were above 1/80 (1-7 i.u. per ml.). Immunisation via the i.d. and i.m. routes was equally successful in terms of likely immune status, but the i.d. rate was associated with many more local sideeffects.