Rabies vaccine
Article Abstract:
Although human rabies is rare in the US, the spread of an animal epidemic of rabies into the Northeast raises the probability that human disease may increase in frequency. Two types of rabies vaccines for humans in which the virus is inactivated are now available in the US. One vaccine, HDCV (human diploid cell vaccine), contains virus grown in human embryo cells, while the other, RVA (rabies vaccine adsorbed), newly developed by the Michigan Department of Public Health, contains virus grown in fetal rhesus monkey lung cells. Vaccines may be given as a preventive measure to people such as veterinarians who are at high risk of exposure to rabies, with booster shots given every two years. Otherwise, the vaccines are used to treat people bitten by animals suspected of being rabid. After exposure to a rabid animal, HDCV or RVA administered five times over a 28-day period has proven effective in preventing rabies. There has been only one reported case in which this treatment may have failed. Most reactions to the vaccines are mild, and occur around the injection site. Headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, and muscle aches have also been reported as a vaccine reaction. Up to 5 percent of people receiving post-bite injections or booster shots have developed serum sickness-like reaction, a hypersensitivity reaction, characterized by hives, fever, joint pains, nausea, and vomiting. Severe hypersensitivity reaction (anaphylaxis) has rarely occurred with HDCV. Guillain-Barre syndrome, nerve inflammation with progressive muscle weakness, is another side effect that has rarely been documented. More study is needed to determine if RVA causes fewer hypersensitivity reactions than HDCV. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0025-732X
Year: 1990
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A new rabies vaccine
Article Abstract:
A new rabies vaccine for humans now available in the United States may provide effective protection without the hypersensitive reaction some 6% of the existing vaccine users experience from booster shots months or years after the first dose of the human diploid cell vaccine (HDCV). Marketed by Chiron under the brand name RabAvert, it is made in purified chick embryo cell culture (PCEC) and may be used before exposure as well as after. It has been seen to be 100% effective after serious exposure, the same effectiveness as HDCV.
Publication Name: Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0025-732X
Year: 1998
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Pediarix - a combined vaccine for infants
Article Abstract:
Pediarix is a vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis and hepatitis B, and an inactivated polio component. Results indicate that it is as immunogenic as the existing diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTaP), hepatitis B and polio vaccines given individually, suggesting that pediarix is convenient as one-shot vaccine. Furthermore, pediarix is given only 7 to 9 times in the first two years instead of 13 to 14 times with the other vaccine.
Publication Name: Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0025-732X
Year: 2003
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