Human Rabies Vaccines Can Save Lives in Over 50 Countries

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, today announced support for human rabies vaccines for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) as part of routine immunization.

On June 13, 2024, Gavi stated eligible countries are receiving guidance on how to access these vaccines under Gavi’s cofinancing policy. The first round of applications will be accepted by mid-July 2024. Ninety-five percent of human rabies deaths occur in Africa and Asia.

“This commitment from Gavi is crucial and will expedite efforts to halt human fatalities caused by dog-mediated rabies,” said Dr Jérôme Salomon, Assistant Director-General for Universal Health Coverage, Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases at WHO, in a press release. 

“WHO will provide technical assistance to countries, not only to support their funding applications to Gavi but to draw up comprehensive plans of action that can deliver real progress towards the Zero by 30 goal.”

This development complements the ongoing global efforts of the Zero by 30 campaign, led by United Against Rabies partners, including the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Health Organization, and the World Organisation for Animal Health, to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies by 2030.

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports bats, not dogs, are the leading source of rabies cases.