Post-exposure prophylaxis against rabies infection
▶BY LOCAL INFILTRATION, OR BY INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTION
▶Child: 20 units/kg, dose administered by infiltration in
and around the cleansed wound; if the wound not
Vaccines
visible or healed or if infiltration of whole volume not
possible, give remainder by intramuscular injection
into anterolateral thigh (remote from vaccination site)
▶Adult: 20 units/kg, dose administered by infiltration in
and around the cleansed wound; if the wound not
visible or healed or if infiltration of whole volume not
possible, give remainder by intramuscular injection
into anterolateral thigh (remote from vaccination site)
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The potency
of individual batches of rabies immunoglobulin from the
manufacturer may vary; potency may also be described
differently by different manufacturers. It is therefore
critical to know the potency of the batch to be used and
the weight of the patient in order to calculate the specific
volume required to provide the necessary dose.
Available from Specialist and Reference Microbiology
Division, Public Health England (also from BPL).
l HANDLING AND STORAGE Care must be taken to store all
immunological products under the conditions
recommended in the product literature, otherwise the
preparation may become ineffective. Refrigerated
storage is usually necessary; many immunoglobulins need
to be stored at 2–8°C and not allowed to freeze.
Immunoglobulins should be protected from light. Opened
multidose vials must be used within the period
recommended in the product literature.
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