Guide to introducing human rabies vaccine into national immunization programmes

Overview

The aim of this guide is to support national immunization programme managers and others responsible for implementing human rabies vaccine programmes to: 

• inform policy discussions and operational planning for introducing or expanding rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) into a national immunization programme (e.g. through the national immunization programme, or other programmes); and
• highlight considerations specific to rabies PEP for integration into existing systems, including for implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.

While the guide is mainly intended for programme managers and focuses on human vaccination, complementary animal health measures are highlighted where relevant given the zoonotic nature of rabies.

The guide was developed collaboratively with input from technical experts in rabies and immunization, vaccines and biologicals.