The Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th Edition 2013

4.16.4 Rabies vaccines
• Mérieux Inactivated Rabies Vaccine – Sanofi Pasteur Pty Ltd (human
diploid cell vaccine [HDCV]). Lyophilised powder in a monodose
vial with 1.0 mL distilled water as diluent. Each 1.0 mL reconstituted
dose contains ≥2.5 IU inactivated rabies virus; 100–150 µg neomycin;
≤70 mg human serum albumin; trace of phenol red (indicator). May
contain trace amounts of bovine gelatin and β-propiolactone.
• Rabipur Inactivated Rabies Virus Vaccine – CSL Limited/Novartis
Vaccines and Diagnostics Pty Ltd (purified chick embryo cell
vaccine [PCECV]). Lyophilised powder in a monodose vial with
1.0 mL distilled water as diluent. Each 1.0 mL reconstituted dose
contains ≥2.5 IU inactivated rabies virus; trace amounts of neomycin,
chlortetracycline, trometamol, β-propiolactone, monopotassium
glutamate and amphotericin B. May contain trace amounts of bovine
gelatin and egg protein.
There are two inactivated rabies cell culture-derived vaccines available
in Australia.
The Mérieux vaccine is a lyophilised, stabilised suspension of inactivated Wistar
rabies virus that has been cultured on human diploid cells and then inactivated
by β-propiolactone. This human diploid cell vaccine (HDCV) is coloured offwhite,
but after reconstitution with the diluent it turns a pinkish colour due to
the presence of phenol red. The vaccine does not contain a preservative.
Rabipur is a lyophilised, stabilised suspension of inactivated Flury LEP rabies
virus that has been cultured on purified chick embryo cells and then inactivated
by β-propiolactone. This purified chick embryo cell vaccine (PCECV) does not
contain a preservative.
Rabies vaccine is effective and safe when used for pre-exposure prophylaxis
(PreP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for rabies virus. 22,23 Although data on
the effectiveness of rabies vaccine as prophylaxis against other lyssaviruses are
limited, the available animal data and clinical experience support its use. 19,24-29
4.16.5 Rabies immunoglobulin
• Imogam Rabies Pasteurized – Sanofi Pasteur Pty Ltd (human rabies
immunoglobulin [HRIG]). Each 1.0 mL contains IgG class human
rabies antibodies with a minimum titre of 150 IU; 22.5 mg glycine;
1 mg sodium chloride. Supplied in 2 mL vials.
PART 4 VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES 355
4.16 RABIES AND OTHER
LYSSAVIRUSES (INCLUDING
AUSTRALIAN BAT LYSSAVIRUS)