Abhayrab Rabies Vaccine
Indication: The Abhayrab rabies vaccine is recommended for:
- active immunization against the Rabies for prophylaxis and post-bite therapy in all age groups of people.
- immunizing against Rabies after the exposure (after the contact with a rabid or suspected rabid animal).
- prophylactic immunization in people such as: Veterinarians, Medical and Paramedical personnel, Municipal workers, Forest and Zoo personnel, Hunters, Laboratory personnel working with the suspected Rabies materials and Pet owners.
Unwanted local minor events: The minor events of anti rabies vaccine include:
- mild pain
- erythema
- induration
- pruritus
- rash
- oedema at the site of injection
Unwanted systemic mild events: The systemic events of anti rabies vaccine include:
- Mild fever
- headache
- myalgia
- malaise
Unwanted very rare events: The rare events of anti rabies injection are as follows:
- high fever
- gastrointestinal disorders
- lymphadenopathy
- arthritis
- anaphylaxis
Dosage For intramuscular: Reconstituted vaccine of 0.5mL should be administered by deep intramuscular route in the deltoid region in adults and in anterolateral aspects of thigh in childrens.
Dosage For intradermal: Reconstituted rabies vaccine of 0.1mL should be administered at 2 different lymphatic drainage sites usually the left and right upper arm. Intradermally administration of this vaccine must raise a visible as well as palpable”bleb” in the skin.
Aseptic technique and sterile needle and syringe must be used to draw up vaccines for every patient and for every dose.
Contraindications:
- As the Rabies is known as a dreaded disease; none contraindications are to be considered in the post-bite therapy.
- In pregnancy or acute febrile illness, this vaccine should be avoided.
- Concurrent administration of immunosuppressive agents should be avoided as it might hamper in the development of protective antibodies.
- In case of category III bites as per WHO classification anti rabies immunoglobulin is recommended together with the first rabies vaccination dose.
- Use intramuscular route in cases of severe or delayed cases of category III bites on day zero.
- Delay in commencement of post-bites therapy, incomplete and irregular therapy may be responsible for causing failure of vaccination and protection against the rabies.
- If any antimalarial chemo prophylaxis is given concurrently, vaccines must be given through the intramuscular route only.
- The abhayrab vaccine is never used into a gluteal region, where the absorption is unpredictable.
- Like all injectable vaccines, anaphylaxis or hypersensitivity may occur with abhayrab vaccine.
- Disinfecting agents must be allowed to evaporate from the skin prior to the injection of rabies vaccine.
Warnings:
- The rabies vaccine should never be given by intravascular route.
- Same syringe or site is not recommended in order to administer the immunoglobulin as well as the vaccine.
Storage: The rabies vaccine for humans should be stored at the temperature between 2°C and 8°C.
Cost: The rabies vaccine cost is reasonable. The packet of 1 powder for injection can be purchased around Rs 334.
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