Immunogenicity (Antibody Response)

Pre-exposure immunization

• IMOVAX Rabies vaccine induces an active immune response that includes the production of neutralizing (protective) antibodies in 100% of individuals following vaccination; this antibody response requires approximately 7 to 10 days to develop and usually lasts for up to 2 years^1-3

• However, it is important to note that pre-exposure immunization does not eliminate the need for prompt treatment following exposure to rabies
  • Pre-exposure vaccination merely simplifies post-exposure treatment by eliminating the need for IMOGAM Rabies Immune Globulin and decreasing the number of IMOVAX Rabies vaccine doses^1,2

 

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Post-exposure immunization

• Post-exposure efficacy of IMOVAX Rabies vaccine, in conjunction with antirabies serum, was successfully demonstrated during clinical experience in Iran⁴
  • 45 persons severely bitten by rabid dogs and wolves received the rabies vaccine⁴
  • All individuals were fully protected against rabies⁴

• There have been reports of possible rabies vaccine failure when the vaccine was administered in the gluteal (buttocks) area^5,6
  • Presumably, subcutaneous fat in this area may interfere with the production of protective antibodies; for adults and children, IMOVAX Rabies vaccine should be administered as an intramuscular injection only in the deltoid muscle (upper arm)^5,6

 

View full Prescribing Information for IMOVAX Rabies vaccine.

References: 1. IMOVAX Rabies Vaccine Prescribing Information, December 2005. 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Human rabies prevention—United States, 1999: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR. 1999;48:1-21. 3. Bernard KW, Roberts MA, Sumner J, et al. Human diploid cell rabies vaccine: effectiveness of immunization with small intradermal or subcutaneous doses. JAMA. 1982;247:1138-1142. 4. Bahmanyar M, Fayaz A, Nour-Salehi S, et al. Successful protection of humans exposed to rabies infection: post-exposure treatment with the new human diploid cell rabies vaccine and antirabies serum. JAMA. 1976;236:2751-2754. 5. Shill M, Baynes RD, Miller SD. Fatal rabies encephalitis despite appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis: a case report. N Engl J Med. 1987;316:1257-1258. 6. CDC. International notes. Human rabies despite treatment with rabies immune globulin and human diploid cell rabies vaccine—Thailand. MMWR. 1987;36:759-760,765.