New recommendations for oral vaccination of dogs against rabies

The Tripartite organizations (FAO, WHO, WOAH)¹ have released an update on Oral vaccination of dogs against rabies: recommendations for field application and integration into dog rabies control programmes.

Vaccinating dogs, including puppies, is the most cost–effective strategy for preventing rabies in people because it stops transmission at its source. Moreover, dog vaccination reduces the need for human post-exposure prophylaxis. Vaccinating 70% of the dog population is sufficient to eliminate canine rabies.

Traditionally, injectable vaccines have been the primary method for mass dog vaccinations. However, this approach presents challenges, especially in hard-to-reach dog populations. In many middle- and low-income countries in Africa and Asia, vaccination efforts have stagnated due to perceived barriers in vaccinating high-risk free-roaming dogs, making it crucial to explore new strategies.

One promising alternative is oral rabies vaccination (ORV), which has proven effective in targeted elimination efforts among regional wildlife populations. Despite its success in wildlife, ORV has not been widely applied for controlling dog-mediated rabies.

The newly published document aims to provide practical guidance for the implementation of ORV as an integrated tool within national strategies for controlling rabies in dog populations. It replaces or supersedes issue-related contents in previous WHO foundational documents on ORV of dogs, shifting focus from vaccine and bait development to addressing regulatory considerations, logistics, distribution strategies, communication, campaign activities and monitoring.

The document highlights the potential of ORV to significantly increase vaccination coverage, especially for free-roaming and poorly supervised dogs, when used alone or in combination with injectable vaccines.

Each country’s circumstances, including socio-cultural aspects, epidemiology and available resources, will shape their specific approach to integrating ORV. The document encourages countries to utilize its guidance to develop their own strategies and practical approaches.

By embracing the recommendations in this document, countries can enhance their dog rabies control programmes and work towards achieving the global goal of zero dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030.