A new vero cell rabies vaccine: Results of a comparative trial with human diploid cell rabies vaccine in children

We evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of a chromatographically purifie d rabies vaccine (CPRV) compared with human diploid cell rabies vaccine (HD CV) after pre-exposure immunizations (both primary and booster), Intramuscu lar doses of either 0.5 mL of CPRV or 1.0 mL of HDCV were given to 400 scho olchildren on days 0, 7, 28, and 365 (booster), Adequate titers of antibody (greater than or equal to 0.15 IU/mL, as defined by the Centers for Diseas e Control and Prevention) were observed in serum samples from all children 14 days after primary immunization with CPRV and HDCV; the antibodies persi sted in all but one child up until 1 year. Fourteen days after the primary immunization series (day 42) and 7 days after booster immunization (day 372 ), all children had antibody titers of greater than or equal to 0.5 IU/mL, Local and systemic reactions after primary and booster immunizations occurr ed significantly less frequently in the CPRV group. A severe allergic react ion (angioedema) was reported in only one child after booster immunization with HDCV, CPRV has adequate immunogenicity for primary and booster pre-exp osure immunizations in children and has a better safety profile than does H DCV.