Human diploid cell strain rabies vaccine. Rapid prophylactic immunisation of volunteers with small doses.

The clinical and antibody responses of volunteers to three intradermal schedules of human diploid cell strain rabies vaccine (0.4 ml on day 0; 0-1 ml on days 0, 1, 2, 3; and 0-1 ml on days 0, 3, 7, and 14) are described. Vaccine was administered to 114 contacts of two rabid patients in order to evoke a rapid antibody response and the antibody titres of 30 of those who were vaccinated and bled were measured. High antibody titres were obtained in all subjects irrespective of their immunisation schedule; there were only minimal local reactions. All volunteers had titres greater than 1/78 (1.7 I.U./ml) by day 14, and 7 of 10 receiving 0.1 ml into each limb on day 0 had detectable antibody by day 7.