More Americans needed rabies shots after animal encounters this summer, and some received the lifesaving treatment incorrectly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told doctors and health departments on Sept. 10. In a Health Alert Network advisory, the agency said use of the two licensed U.S. rabies vaccines rose an estimated 33% and use of human rabies immune globulin rose 76% compared with the same period last year, based on weekly pharmacy data through Sept. 2.
The advisory is not a shortage warning. CDC said there is currently no shortage of rabies vaccine or immune globulin. The concern is getting the right treatment to the right people, because rabies is nearly 100% fatal once symptoms begin but is preventable when treatment is given promptly and correctly.
