As part of routine immunization, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, in partnership with partners, is announcing funding for human rabies vaccinations for post exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Under Gavi’s cofinancing strategy, eligible countries are receiving instructions on how to obtain these vaccines. Applications for the first round will be accepted until the middle of July in 2024. Ninety-five percent of rabies deaths in humans happen in Asia and Africa, usually in underserved communities with little access to care.
With the aim of eradicating dog-mediated human rabies by 2030, this development supports ongoing global efforts of the Zero by 30 campaign, which is spearheaded by United Against Rabies partners such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH, formerly OIE).
“This commitment from Gavi is essential and will accelerate efforts to stop human deaths from dog-mediated rabies,” stated Dr. Jérôme Salomon, WHO Assistant Director-General for Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases and Universal Health Coverage. “WHO will support countries’ funding applications to Gavi and help them develop comprehensive action plans that can actually move the world closer to the Zero by 30 goal by offering technical assistance.”
The availability of human rabies vaccines in public health systems is frequently severely restricted, particularly in marginalized areas, in over 150 countries where dog rabies is still a major public health concern. The expense of PEP can place a devastating financial strain on families and communities in areas where private clinics offer the human rabies vaccine.
According to Aurélia Nguyen, Chief Programme Officer at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, “Gavi’s goal with this program is to contribute to global rabies efforts and save lives by helping countries ensure that human rabies vaccines are available to anyone who needs them and that vulnerable and marginalised communities have equal access to these essential medicines.”
The virus that causes rabies severely inflames the brain. It is 99% the result of a rabid dog infecting a human. The mortality rate from rabies infection is almost 100% after the virus enters the central nervous system and an infected individual manifests symptoms.
One of the most dreaded diseases in the world, rabies is lethal and causes severe symptoms. On the other hand, early prophylactic treatment (PEP) can prevent rabies infection. This includes complete wound cleansing, a course of high-quality human rabies vaccination, and immunoglobulins if necessary.
