Intradermal immunization with rabies vaccine. Inactivated Wistar strain cultivated in human diploid cells

Abstract

A comparative study of the Merieux Institute''s inactivated rabies vaccine administered intradermally or s.c. in humans was reported. Vaccine safety was satisfactory, with only minor local and generalized reactions. Serological effectiveness was outstanding: all of those who had been seronegative became seropositive following either 2 intradermal or s.c. injections given 1 mo. apart. A comparison of the intradermal and s.c. routes demonstrated several important points. Antibody titers developing after s.c. immunization were greater than after intradermal immunization. The kinetics of antibody development during primary immunization were parallel in the 2 immunization protocols. Eleven months after primary immunization, s.c. administration of a booster dose of vaccine resulted in a titer elevation 1.86-fold greater than that in intradermal administration. Each of these levels indicated good serological response.