Use of post-exposure intradermal rabies vaccination in a rural mission hospital

The efficacy of single site, intradermal human diploid cell rabies vaccine (HDCV) was assessed in patients exposed to rabies, who were treated at a rural mission hospital in central Thailand. Intradermal HDCV, 0.1 ml on days 0, 3, 7 and 14, resulted in protective antibody levels by day 14, with measurable titres present at one year. 98% of 219 patients completed primary vaccination and 84% returned for a one-year booster. No case of rabies has been seen in those vaccinated. Intradermal HDCV in small doses has given results superior to those from vaccination with nervous tissue vaccine with conventional schedules. This intradermal HDCV regimen has proved acceptable to patients, and is suitable for post-rabies-exposure care in developing countries where low cost is essential.