Vaccines and vaccination against rabies for domestic and wild animals in Europe*

Objectives of vaccination always place priority on the protection of human beings from rabies by vaccinating either the vector species (the fox in most countries), the relay species (domestic animals)or human beings themsel­ ves. Other objectives of vaccination are to reduce economic loss or to avoid creating a secondary cycle of rabies among domestic animals. Vaccines containing live virus (Flury, ERA, Vnukovo) and those posses­ sing residual virulence (Fermi type) are tending to be replaced by the safer vac­ cines prepared from inactivated virus, particularly those containing an adju­ vant of immunity. Testing of these vaccines is performed on the final product and its effect in the target species by serological titration. Testing of the final product is easier to standardise (in mice) in the case of vaccines containing inactivated virus. The international transport of animals requires a minimum antigenicity (1 Interna­ tional Unit per dose), calculated by comparison with a reference preparation of the European Pharmacopoeia.