Oxford researchers report a single-dose shot shows a strong immune response against a deadly viral infection in adults and children, raising hopes for simpler global protection
A new study suggests a single injection could strongly protect adults and children against a deadly viral disease, potentially simplifying worldwide vaccination efforts. Researchers say these results may improve access in regions where multiple-dose schedules are hard to deliver.
New rabies vaccine could simplify protection in low-resource settings
Rabies kill around 59,000 people each year, mainly in Africa and Asia, with children at greatest risk. Rabies vaccines exist, but they typically require two or more clinic visits, making them difficult to deliver in low-income countries.
“Rabies is entirely preventable, yet it still causes tens of thousands of deaths each year, mostly among children,” said Professor Sandy Douglas of the Jenner Institute at the University of Oxford, the developer of the vaccine and the study’s senior author. ‘What makes this especially tragic is that existing vaccines work well, but they are difficult to deliver in the places where they are most needed.
“Our findings suggest that a single-dose vaccine could offer a practical and affordable way to protect vulnerable populations, particularly in rural and low-resource settings.”
Researchers say new jab could be a “game changer” after trial results
The new vaccine, ChAdOx2 RabG, is designed to be given in a single dose. The trial, conducted in Tanzania, tested its safety and the immune response it elicited. The researchers administered the rabies vaccine to 63 adults and 111 children aged 2-6 years, who received either the new vaccine or a currently licensed rabies vaccine for comparison.
The researchers found that the new rabies vaccine triggered a stronger immune response than the currently available vaccines. Notably, after one year, antibody levels in adults were five times higher than those observed with a single dose of the current rabies vaccines, and in children, they were over eight times higher.
In children, the new rabies vaccine outperformed the currently recommended vaccine from the World Health Organisation when administered in its standard two-dose regimen. The trial is ongoing, with participants to be followed for up to 5.5 years to assess how long protection lasts.
The study found that the vaccine elicited rapid immune responses, suggesting it could be used as part of emergency treatment after a bite. However, further research is needed to confirm this.
The researchers say that a low-cost, single-dose vaccine could make preventive vaccination programmes more feasible, especially in high-risk areas where current approaches are not widely used.
“If these results are confirmed in larger trials, this vaccine could be a game changer for rabies prevention,” adds Dr Adam Ritchie, first author of the study and Senior Vaccinologist at the Jenner Institute. “In a world where wealthy travellers can be vaccinated, but children living in the same high-risk regions rarely are, it has the potential to simplify vaccination, reduce costs, and ultimately save lives.”
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