Rabies vaccine research project

If you are generally healthy, live in Brisbane, have never received a rabies vaccine before, and would like to receive them — we would love your help.

Our team, in association with The University of Queensland, has commenced a new rabies vaccine research project

We are looking for healthy adults aged 18–50 years who:

• have never previously received a rabies vaccine
• are able to attend our Brisbane CBD clinic on 4 or 5 occasions over approximately 9 weeks

Participants will be randomly allocated to one of four study groups. Each group receives slight variations of the standard rabies vaccination schedule.

Importantly, we are using the standard Australian-registered rabies vaccine. The study is not testing a new vaccine — rather, it is examining different vaccination schedules and methods of administration.

Some participants will receive vaccine:

• into the muscle (intramuscular / IM)
• into the upper layer of the skin (intradermal / ID)

Depending on the study group, participants will attend either:

• 4 visits over 9 weeks, or
• 5 visits over 9 weeks

Participants will have a total of 3 blood tests during the study.

These blood samples will be tested both in Brisbane and, anonymously, at a specialised laboratory at Kansas State University, for advanced rabies antibody testing.

A secondary aim of the study is to compare these specialised tests with the standard rabies antibody testing performed in Brisbane.

By the completion of the study, participants will receive:

• their rabies serology results
• documentation of their rabies vaccinations
• entry of their vaccinations onto the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
• reimbursement of $50 towards travel expenses (Ethics do not allow particpants to be given  financial incentives to participant in clinical trials.)

The main aim of this research is to better understand the minimum amount of rabies vaccine needed to effectively prime the immune system. In the future, this may help reduce the cost and complexity of rabies vaccination for travellers visiting high-risk regions.

This research project has been reviewed and approved by the The University of Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee
(Project #2025/HE002460).

Further information about the study is available below:

Participant information sheet Rabies 

We would greatly appreciate your assistance with this important research project, which may ultimately benefit future travellers requiring rabies vaccination.

If you may be interested in participating, please contact Christine on:
07 3221 9066

or email:

clinic (at) thetraveldoctor [dot] com {dot} au

or you can leave a comment below.

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