Europe moves closer to approving a new rabies vaccine for all ages

The European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has issued a positive opinion recommending marketing authorization for VaxRabeo, a new inactivated rabies vaccine developed by Sanofi Winthrop Industrie. The recommendation covers both pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis — as well as booster doses — for individuals of all age groups, bringing Europe one step closer to a new tool against one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases.

VaxRabeo works by triggering neutralizing antibodies against the rabies virus's surface glycoprotein. The CHMP confirmed it reliably produces a protective immune response in both adults and children. Side effects were generally mild — injection-site pain, myalgia, headache, and malaise in adults; irritability and crying in infants aged 12–23 months.

By the Numbers:

• ~100% case fatality rate once rabies symptoms appear
• ~99% of human rabies cases are caused by dog bites
• ~67 days: expected timeframe for the European Commission to issue a final marketing authorization decision

Why it matters: Rabies kills tens of thousands of people globally each year, yet it is entirely preventable with timely vaccination. A new EU-authorized vaccine broadens access and options for both travelers and healthcare providers managing exposure risk across all age groups.