What went wrong with a rabies vaccine batch?, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• The CDC issued a warning on November 25, 2025, about counterfeit Abhayrab anti-rabies vaccine circulating in India since November 1, 2023.
• Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation also warned that travelers vaccinated with Abhayrab in India after November 1, 2023, should get revaccinated.
• Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) stated on December 27, 2025, that the counterfeit batch of Abhayrab was no longer available.
• India accounts for 36% of global rabies deaths, with 18,000-20,000 deaths annually, and 30-60% of cases occur in children under 15.
• National Rabies Control Programme and National Action Plan for Rabies Elimination aim to eliminate dog-mediated rabies by 2030.

Detailed Insights:

• The circulation of counterfeit Abhayrab vaccines poses a significant public health risk, potentially failing to prevent rabies in those vaccinated.
• IIL affirms that each vaccine batch undergoes testing and release by the National Control Laboratory (Central Drugs Laboratory), a WHO-Geneva pre-qualified laboratory.
• If a patient suspects receiving a counterfeit vaccine, they should consult a healthcare provider to determine the need for replacement doses of an authentic vaccine.
• Repeat rabies vaccination is considered safe due to the vaccine being inactivated and not containing a live virus, making revaccination safe and allowed.
• Revaccination is recommended when there are doubts about vaccine quality, authenticity, inappropriate dosages, lack of cold chain maintenance, or lack of records.
• Unvaccinated individuals require a full rabies vaccination regimen, while previously vaccinated individuals with proper documentation need only booster doses after exposure.
• India's high rabies incidence is addressed through the National Rabies Control Programme and the National Action Plan for Rabies Elimination to eliminate dog-mediated rabies by 2030.
• The WHO advocates for a One Health approach, including mass dog vaccination, access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), health worker training, improved surveillance, and bite prevention.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Rabies: A deadly viral disease transmitted through saliva, usually by animal bites.
• Vaccination: The process of administering a vaccine to stimulate the body's immune system to develop protection against a disease.
• Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): Medical treatment started after exposure to a pathogen to prevent infection.
• One Health: A collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach working at the local, regional, national, and global levels to achieve optimal health outcomes.