Induction of a protective immune response to rabies virus in sheep after oral immunization with transgenic maize, expressing the rabies virus glycoprotein

► An edible vaccine against rabies was evaluated for the first time in a polygastric model. ► Rabies virus G protein expressed in transgenic maize is able to confer protection. ► The transgenic maize used in this study was able to promote neutralizing antibody production, similar to an inactivated rabies vaccine. ► Approximately 2 mg of rabies virus G protein expressed in maize protected the sheep equivalent to an inactivated vaccine.