Intradermal administration of Rabies Vaccine at an affordable cost: Experience from tertiary care hospital in Jammu

Background: Rabies continue to be a major public health challenge in India. It can certainly be prevented by timely and appropriate administration of WHO recommended pre and post exposure prophylaxis. Intradermal regimen is running successfully and beneficial both in monetary as well as non-monetary terms. Aim& Objective:To evaluate the reduction in direct cost incurred with the use of intradermal regimen as compared to intramuscular regimen. Settings and Design: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in Government Medical College Jammu, a tertiary care centre. Methods and Material: A total of 17535 patients attending Anti Rabies Section of GMC Jammu were studied from Jan 2015 to September 2017.The patients belonging to Category II and III received 0.1 ml 2 site ID purified vero cell culture vaccine (PVCCV) on days 0, 3, 7 and 28 (2-2-2-0-2) and Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG)(Category III only). Cost borne per patient receiving intradermal regimen was calculated and compared with cost borne in case Intramuscular regimen would have been used. Statistical analysis: Results were presented in descriptive manner using percentages and proportions. Conclusions: Intradermal regimen reduces the direct cost as compared to intramuscular regimen