Rabies Vaccine

[Kris L. Christine]

I came across the article below recently, and this research really frightens me because they are trying to develop a Modified LIVE Rabies Vaccine. MLV vaccines can and do convert to virulence.

Under the "Immunological Factors Determining Vaccine Safety" column on page 16 of the American Animal Hospital Association's 2003 Canine Vaccine Guidelines it is written that: [b]" Modified live virus vaccines can and do cause dis-ease because attenuation is a balance between maintaining infectivity while eliminating its pathogenicity. Individual response is dependent on the status of the recipient’s immune system. Thus, an attenuated pathogen in a host which is severely immunosuppressed, or genetically more susceptible, may result in the vaccine causing the disease for which it was designed to prevent. ."

UGA receives grant for rabies vaccine study - - DVM

UGA receives grant for rabies vaccine study


Dec 1, 2007
DVM Newsmagazine


ATHENS, GA. — The University of Georgia (UGA) College of Veterinary Medicine received a $1.18 million grant to develop rabies-virus vaccinations.

Awarded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) at the National Institutes of Health, the grant is the continuation of a four-year, $837,000 NIAID grant issued in 2002 to initiate the study.

The goal is a less expensive and invasive way of vaccinating humans and animals from rabies.

The proposed vaccine will use a genetically modified form of the live virus that allows the body to establish immunity without actually catching the virus.

"We propose to develop a live form of vaccine by incorporating immune-stimulatory molecules into the virus genome," says lead investigator Zhen Fu, UGA professor of veterinary pathology. "By doing so, we expect to develop a vaccine with greater potency, yet reduced cost, because fewer doses will be needed for immunity. The vaccines also can be used in domestic and wild animals to protect them from rabies."
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Duration of Immunity to Canine Vaccines: What We Know and Don't Know, Dr. Ronald Schultz Duration of Immunity

World Small Animal Veterinary Association 2007 Vaccine Guidelines http://www.wsava.org/SAC.htmScroll down to Vaccine Guidelines 2007 (PDF)

The 2003 American Animal Hospital Association's Canine Vaccine Guidelines are accessible online at Special Report .

The 2006 American Animal Hospital Association's Canine Vaccine Guidelines are downloadable in PDF format at About AAHA .

Veterinarian, Dr. Robert Rogers,has an excellent presentation on veterinary vaccines at Home

[MyPemCharlie]

The development of a new MLV rabies vaccine that "allows the body to establish immunity without acturally catching the virus" (quote from your post) shouldn't scare you.

MLV rabies vaccines (previously developed) were pulled from the market because of the possibility of the vaccine causing rabies. Looks like Univ. Georgia is working on one that won't cause rabies and can be used for humans and pets.

Current Distemper and Parvo vaccines are MLV types.

MLV vaccines are much more effective and have been shown to cause fewer adverse reactions than modified killed vaccines, the type currently used for rabies. Research indicates that an MLV given once after an animal is 6 months old protects the animal for a lifetime. One vaccine for life...sounds like a step in the right direction to me.

[Kris L. Christine]

Modified Live Viruses do confer a much longer duration of immunity than killed vaccines and do cause far fewer adverse reactions; however, they can and do revert to virulence in some cases. The thought of anyone's dog contracting rabies (no matter how rare the incidents may be) from an MLV rabies vaccine, resulting in all family members and friends having to undergo prophylactic rabies treatments themselves is daunting.

Personally, I will give my dogs the killed rabies vaccine even if the USDA licenses an MLV rabies vaccine in the future.

A couple of years ago, a batch of "non-inactivated" human rabies vaccines had to be recalled. Recall of Rabies Vaccine (Human Diploid Cell), Imovax Rabies, Aventis Pasteur -- that was a healthy reminder that mistakes happen even with rabies vaccines.

[MyPemCharlie]

With a stated purpose of producing an MLV that does not cause virulence, the researchers face a tremendous hurdle. Unless they show clinical proof, the vaccine will never get through the USDA for animals, or FDA for human use. I wish them luck. It would be nice for veterinarians and pet owners to have a choice of vaccines.

[Chip's Mom]

Taffy got her rabies shot today and so far she is doing just fine. She has been playing, ate a good supper, harrassed her brothers and ran around outside for awhile. She weighs just 15 lbs and the vet said she is petite and at a good weight for her size. She will be spayed in 2 weeks. I heard on the news tonight there was a raccoon about 6 miles from us that tested positive for rabies so I am glad that Taffy got her vaccine.

[Kris L. Christine]

More information specifically on the rabies vaccine can be found at the following links if you are interested to learn more:

Animal Wellness Magazine Article Vol. 8 Issue 6, How Often Does he REALLY Need A Rabies Shot Animal Wellness Magazine - devoted to natural health in animals

The Rabies Challenge Animal Wise Radio Interview
Listen to Animal Wise (scroll down to The Rabies Challenge 12/9/07)

The Vaccine Challenge Animal Talk Naturally Online Radio Show » The Vaccine Challenge - Show #91

US Declared Canine-Rabies Free -- CDC Announces at Inaugural World Rabies Day Symposium CDC Press Release - September 7, 2007