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Following the fatal case of rabies in BC on July 14 there has been a considerable increase in the provision of Rabies Post Exposure Prophylaxis, which includes both rabies vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin, across the province. This had led to a province wide shortage of rabies immunoglobulin and especially rabies vaccine.
The Provincial Health Officer and the BC Centre for Disease Control are asking for cooperation in following updated guidelines created to conserve both rabies vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin.
Rabies immunoglobulin conserving guidelines advise that any area of exposure or wound be infiltrated, and that no additional RIG be given via the IM route as this has been shown to be of limited effectiveness.