New rabies vaccine developed

A new vaccine to combat rabies is being developed that could be far more useful to people in the developing world.

Researchers at the Jefferson Vaccine Centre are looking into the use of a vaccine that only requires a single hit, rather than the current standard of six injections.

In poorer countries around the globe, it is often not possible to provide six rabies vaccines over sustained periods, putting people at a greater risk of dying from the disease.

Dr James McGettigan from the centre wrote in the Journal of Infectious Diseases that a matrix gene is central to the success of the new vaccine.

He said: "The virus in the vaccine infects cells and induces an immune response, but the virus is deficient in spreading.

"Developing countries do not have the resources to vaccinate people six times after exposure."

According to World Health Organisation figures, ten million people need rabies vaccines every year.

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