Next-generation rabies vaccines: a one health approach to global elimination

Rabies remains one of the most fatal yet preventable zoonotic diseases, responsible for an estimated 59,000 human deaths annually, mostly in Asia and Africa. Vaccination of both humans and animals has been central to rabies prevention. However, challenges such as limited access, high costs, cold-chain dependency, and inequitable distribution hinder progress toward the global goal of zero human rabies deaths by 2030. Recent advances in rabies vaccines, including thermostable formulations, monoclonal antibody-based alternatives, oral wildlife vaccines, and novel delivery systems, are reshaping the landscape of rabies control. This review highlights these next-generation vaccine innovations through a One Health perspective, underscoring the integration of human, animal, and environmental health in rabies elimination efforts.