Re: Why was the rabies vaccine given in the abdomen?

Excellent question! Let's begin with a little backround. Rabies is a viral infection transmitted in the saliva of an infected animal and possibly, although much more rarely, by aerosol exposure (i.e. lab accidents or caves that contain infected bats). The virus enters the central nervous system causing an encephalomyelitis that is almost always fatal. However, with timely and proper medical treatment, this can be avoided.

Years ago, post exposure treatment involved a series of 15 to 30 injections of 0.5 to 1.0 mL of vaccine per injection. These injections were given in the abdomen because of its large surface area and ability to accomodate such a large volume of vaccine. It would've been impossible to deliver a treatment like this using traditional sites like the arm or buttocks.

Luckily however, the post-exposure treatment for the previously unvaccinated has evolved considerably. Today, the essential components of rabies post exposure are:

1. Wound treatment - washing the bite area with soap and water and treating with an iodine solution.
2. One injection of rabies immune globulin at or around the wound site
3. Five dose course of 1 mL of rabies vaccine (there are 3 kinds) begining as soon as possible after exposure and on days 3, 7, 14, and 28 after first vaccination.

I know that this is more than you asked for but I hope that you found this answer interesting.

Peg Prentice