Rhesus diploid rabies vaccine (adsorbed), a new rabies vaccine. Results of initial clinical studies of preexposure vaccination.

To meet the need for a safe, efficacious, and low-cost rabies vaccination program, the Michigan Department of Public Health developed a new rabies vaccine: rhesus diploid rabies vaccine, adsorbed (RDRV). Initial clinical studies were conducted in 534 volunteers using preexposure protocols consisting of two injections of RDRV given 1, 2, or 4 weeks apart. This new rabies vaccine induced an excellent rabies virus antibody response two to three weeks after vaccination: antibody levels were superior to those reported after duck embryo rabies vaccine and were similar to those reported with human diploid rabies vaccine. In addition, vaccination with RDRV was associated with an acceptable level of local and constitutional symptoms.