Post-exposure intradermal antirabies vaccine: a cheaper alternative for developing countries.

Intradermal (i.d.) human diploid-cell vaccine (HDCV) has been routinely used for post-exposure treatment of rabies at a rural mission hospital in central Thailand since 1979. Four 0.1 ml doses have been given over a fortnight, reconstituted vaccine being regularly stored for repeated use. No significant side effects have been encountered. Consistent antibody formation has been shown. In patients followed up for one year no case of rabies has been observed. Post-exposure intradermal HDCV is safer and more effective than nervous tissue vaccine and is of moderate cost. It should be more widely employed within the Third World.