A simplified and economical intradermal regimen of purified chick embryo cell rabies vaccine for postexposure prophylaxis.

Healthy volunteers were randomized to receive either intradermal purified chick embryo cell rabies vaccine (PCEC) alone (0.1 ml at each of two sites on days 0, 3 and 7, and at one site on days 28 and 90) (n = 81), or intradermal PCEC with one dose of human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG) intramuscularly at 20 IU kg-1 on day 0 (n = 52). Neutralizing antibody (NAB) was detectable in every volunteer, in both groups, from day 14 up to day 365. The peak NAB occurred on day 28 in both groups. No significant suppressive effects of HRIG on NAB response were observed. Side-effects were mild and self-limiting. These preliminary results suggest that this simplified low-dose intradermal regimen could be an alternative schedule in rabies postexposure prophylaxis, resulting in lower overall costs.