Rabies antibody titres in vaccinated reindeer

One dose of inactivated, adjuvanted rabies vaccine of cell culture origin (Rabisin) induced good but short-duration immunity in close to 100% of the 50 semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.) vaccinated. Most of the animals (44) had rabies virus antibody titre > or = 1.5 IU/ml at 38 days after vaccination. Five animals had titre 0.5 IU. Antibody titres were not, however, present 1 year after primary vaccination in most animals. About 1 year (360-413 days) after primary vaccination, 22 of the 39 reindeer that could be sampled had rabies virus antibody titre < 0.5 IU/ml.