Dosing and uses of RabAvert (rabies vaccine chick embryo cell derived)
Adult dosage forms and strengths
lyophilized powder for reconstitution
- 2.5 International Units/1mL
Pre-exposure
Primary
- 1 mL IM (deltoid region) 3x, one injection on each of days 0, 7, and 21 or 28
Booster
- 1 mL IM (deltoid region) to maintain a serum titer > 1 : 5 serum dilution by the RFFIT
- Test serum for rabies antibodies q6month
Postexposure
1 mL IM (deltoid region) x4
One injection on each of days 0, 3, 7, and 14 in conjunction with the administration of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) on day 0
HRIG: 20 IU/kg; if anatomically feasible, the full dose should be infiltrated around and into the wound(s), and any remaining volume should be administered IM at an anatomical site distant from vaccine administration
Immunosuppressed patients: Administer 1 mL IM x5 doses on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28 with HRIg
Postexposure (Previously Immunized)
1 mL IM (deltoid region) x2, one injection on each of days 0 and 3
Administration
Using the longer of the 2 needles supplied, transfer the entire contents of the diluent vial into the vaccine viaL
Mix gently to avoid foaming
The white, freeze-dried vaccine dissolves to give a clear or slightly opaque suspension
Withdraw the total amount of dissolved vaccine into the syringe and replace the long needle with the smaller needle for IM injection
Additional Information
Up-to-date vaccination schedules available at www.cdc.gov/nip/publications
Other Indications & Uses
Pre-exposure immunization (high-risk patients)
Postexposure protection against rabies
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
lyophilized powder for reconstitution
- 2.5 International Units/1mL
Pre-exposure
Primary
- 1 mL IM (deltoid region, in small children and infants anterolateral region of thigh) 3x, one injection on each of days 0, 7, and 21 or 28
Booster
- 1 mL IM (deltoid region, in small children and infants anterolateral region of thigh) to maintain a serum titer > 1 : 5 serum dilution by the RFFIT
- Test serum for rabies antibodies q6month
Post-exposure
1 mL IM (deltoid region, in small children and infants anterolateral region of thigh) x4
One injection on each of days 0, 3, 7, and 14 in conjunction with the administration of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) on day 0
HRIG: 20 IU/kg; if anatomically feasible, the full dose should be infiltrated around and into the wound(s), and any remaining volume should be administered IM at an anatomical site distant from vaccine administration
Immunosuppressed patients: Administer 1 mL IM x5 doses on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28 with HRIg
Post-exposure (Previously Immunized)
1 mL IM (deltoid region, in small children and infants anterolateral region of thigh) 2x, one injection on each of days 0 & 3
RabAvert (rabies vaccine chick embryo cell derived) adverse (side) effects
Suspected adverse events after administration of any vaccine may be reported to Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS), 1-800-822-7967
>10%
Injection site pain, soreness, swelling, erythema, itching, burning (30-74%)
N/V (5-40%)
Abd pain (5-40%)
Diarrhea (5-40%)
Headache (5-40%)
Fatigue (5-40%)
Localized enlarged lymph nodes, sore throat (5-40%)
Low grade fever, chills (5-40%)
Muscle ache (5-40%)
Dizziness (5-40%)
Malaise (5-40%)
Postmarketing Reports
Guillain-Barre synd (rare)
Anaphylaxis (rare )
Encephalitis (very rare )
Meningitis (very rare )
Retrobulbar neuritis
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to processed bovine gelatin, chicken protein, neomycin, chlortetracycline and amphotericin B in trace amounts
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: C
Lactation: if exposure to rabies suspected, nursing a baby is not a priority as far as immunization is concerned
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of RabAvert (rabies vaccine chick embryo cell derived)
These products convey active immunity via stimulation of production of endogenously produced antibodies
The onset of protection from disease is relatively slow, but duration is long lasting (years)
Mechanism of action
Inactivated virus stimulates active immunity to rabies
