VaxiRab N

VaxiRab N® — WHO prequalified Rabies vaccine with proven safety and efficacy.

VaxiRab N is an Inactivated freeze-dried Rabies vaccine developed and manufactured by Zydus Lifesciences which provides protection against rabies virus infection in humans. The vaccine uses the Pitman Moore strain of rabies virus, propagated in primary chick embryo fibroblast cell cultures, purified and inactivated. Potency of vaccine is ≥ 2.5 IU per dose. It is WHO prequalified and supplied to multiple countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, CIS countries and to UN agencies, and supports the goal of achieving zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.

Key Features
  • Cell Culture Technology: Highly purified and concentrated inactivated rabies virus, offering a safe and effective alternative to older nerve-tissue vaccines.
  • Versatile Administration: Can be used via both intramuscular (IM) and intradermal (ID) routes for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and by intramuscular route for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
Target Population

It is suitable for all age groups, including children and adults.

VaxiRab N is indicated for:

  • Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (preventive, prior to exposure): Immunization prior to possible infection with rabies, particularly for vets, veterinary medicine students, animal keepers, hunters, forestry workers, animal handlers, butchers, personnel in rabies research laboratories, etc., or prior to visits to areas in which rabies in endemic (rabies infected areas).
  • Post exposure Prophylaxis (after exposure): Treatment after contact with animals which are rabid or suspected to be rabid, or after contact with an inoculated rabies carcass.
Administration
  • Schedule:
    • Post-exposure (previously unvaccinated): Typically, 5-dose Essen regimen (days 0, 3, 7, 14, 28) intramuscularly, or abbreviated ID regimens as per WHO/national guidelines. Rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) is given along with the first dose for severe exposures.
    • Post-exposure (previously vaccinated): 2 booster doses (days 0 and 3).
    • Pre-exposure: 3 doses on days 0, 7, and 21–28 (IM).
  • Route: Intramuscular (deltoid in adults/older children; anterolateral thigh in infants) or intradermal as approved.
  • Presentation: Lyophilized (freeze-dried) vaccine in vials supplied with diluent. Reconstituted vaccine should be used immediately or stored for up to 6 hours at 2-8 ̊C for intradermal administration.
  • As first aid, the wound should be thoroughly cleansed with soap and water or with a detergent. A tetanus booster and antibiotic treatment may be indicated in some cases.
Safety and Efficacy

VaxiRab N has been evaluated in multiple clinical studies for both IM and ID routes. It demonstrated high immunogenicity with robust antibody responses and was found safe and well-tolerated. Common side effects are mild and transient, including:

  • Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
  • Headache, malaise, or low-grade fever
  • Joint or muscle pain

The vaccine can be co-administered with other vaccines like tetanus toxoid. It is contraindicated in cases of known hypersensitivity to any component. In pregnancy and lactation, it should be used when clearly needed, as the benefits usually outweigh risks in rabies exposure scenarios.

As a trusted, Made-in-India, WHO-prequalified Rabies vaccine, VaxiRab N plays a vital role in rabies prevention and control, especially in endemic countries. Timely and complete vaccination, combined with proper wound care, remains the only effective way to prevent this deadly disease.

Publications
  • Ravish HS, Srikanth J, Ashwath Narayana DH, Annadani R, Vijayashankar V, Undi M. Pre-exposure prophylaxis against rabies in children: safety of purified chick embryo cell rabies vaccine (Vaxirab N) when administered by intradermal route. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2013 Sep;9(9):1910-3. doi: 10.4161/hv.25203. Epub 2013 Jun 20. PMID: 23787889; PMCID: PMC3906355.
  • Ashwath Narayana DH, Madhusudana SN, Sampath G, Tripathy RM, Sudarshan MK, Gangaboraiah, Ravish HS, Satapathy DM, Gowda G, Holla R, Ashwin BY, Padhi A, Manjula S, Patel PM. Safety and immunogenicity study of a new purified chick embryo cell rabies vaccine Vaxirab-N (Pitman-Moore strain) manufactured in India. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2014;10(1):120-5. doi: 10.4161/hv.26456. Epub 2013 Sep 12. PMID: 24030586; PMCID: PMC4181025.
  • Ravish HS, Vijayashankar V, Madhusudana SN, Sudarshan MK, Narayana DH, Andanaiah G, Ashwin BY, Rachana AR, Shamanna M. Safety and Immunogenicity of purified chick embryo cell rabies vaccine (VaxiRab N) administered intradermally as post exposure prophylaxis. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2014;10(8):2433-7. doi: 10.4161/hv.29403. PMID: 25424951; PMCID: PMC4896796.
  • Hardanahalli, R. S., V., V., Holla, R., Annadani, R. R., & M. R., S. C. (2018). Clinical evaluation of purified chick embryo cell rabies vaccine administered intradermally in animal exposures. International Journal of Community Medicine And Public Health, 5(2), 585–589. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph2018023.