Evaluation of cost-effective strategies for rabies post-exposure vaccination in low-income countries.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Prompt post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is essential in preventing the fatal onset of disease in persons exposed to rabies. Unfortunately, life-saving rabies vaccines and biologicals are often neither accessible nor affordable, particularly to the poorest sectors of society who are most at risk and upon whom the largest burden of rabies falls. Increasing accessibility, reducing costs and preventing delays in delivery of PEP should therefore be prioritized.

Methodology/principal findings

We analyzed different PEP vaccination regimens and evaluated their relative costs and benefits to bite victims and healthcare providers. We found PEP vaccination to be an extremely cost-effective intervention (from $200 to less than $60/death averted). Switching from intramuscular (

SUBMITTER: Hampson K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3050908 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature