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meckta t1_iwfw4yj wrote

If we all had rabies protection, there would be no more transmission, so it only makes sense that all of us needs to get protected asap. I'm assuming it's safe but definitely sounds effective. Since it's looking like the last mRNA vaccine needs to be updated yearly, I'm guessing this one will be too?

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youreblockingmyshot t1_iwfxoc4 wrote

Most rabies isn’t person to person but from wild animals to people. It’d be a great first line of defense but we’re unlikely to eliminate rabies itself.

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meckta t1_iwfz07n wrote

I actually meant wild animals to human transmission, but thanks for the clarification. And yes it would be a great line of defense. 60,000 people die every year from rabies, so everyone needs to get vaccinated to help make sure that number is as close to zero as possible.

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bluskale t1_iwguvtb wrote

I had no idea it was this high worldwide. It looks like vaccination programs would be most needed in Africa and SE Asia.

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mahabraja t1_iwg45h6 wrote

While rabies is the most terrifying ailment humans have ever encountered, infection in humans is incredibly rare. The vast majority of transmission is within the wild.

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Admetus t1_iwg9as6 wrote

When I got scratched by a stray cat (one of the least likely to infect humans) I still didn't take any chances.

When I went to the hospital to get innoculated I saw a video on screen about rabies and was glad to eliminate all probability.

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SnowyNW t1_iwg9h6f wrote

Until the next transmissible spongiform encephalopathy develops to be even more virulent - kinda like 28 days later and the rage virus - these are more common than you might think, commonly known as prion diseases, and can even be induced by some biologic drugs used to treat chronic illnesses

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Liagala t1_iwgithc wrote

> Since it's looking like the last mRNA vaccine needs to be updated yearly, I'm guessing this one will be too?

The last one needs to be updated yearly because the virus it fights against is constantly changing, and we need to address the new versions of it. As far as I know, rabies doesn't change a whole lot, so updates would need to be far less frequent. Possibly something more like Tetanus shots, where once a decade or so just to remind your body of what it is, would be plenty.

Note that everything beyond my first sentence is guessing and conjecture, and I don't do anything medically-related for a living.

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newBreed t1_iwh1hvm wrote

You can also wait for them to start studying the side effects a year after they've already given people the shot.

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