Australia has issued a health advisory warning about possible counterfeit rabies vaccines administered in India, raising concerns for travellers who received anti-rabies shots while visiting the country. The alert was released by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), which said that some doses of the rabies vaccine brand Abhayrab may be fake and could fail to provide protection against the deadly virus.
According to Australian authorities, the concern applies to people vaccinated in India from November 1, 2023 onwards, especially those who were given Abhayrab or are unsure which brand they received. The advisory states that counterfeit vaccines may not contain the required active ingredient, leaving individuals unprotected against rabies, a disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
Australian health officials have advised affected travellers to treat such doses as potentially invalid. They are being urged to consult doctors and may need repeat vaccination using approved rabies vaccines available in Australia. In some cases, blood tests may be recommended to check antibody levels and confirm protection. The advisory does not apply to people who received other verified rabies vaccine brands in India or were vaccinated outside the country.
Rabies remains a major public health challenge in India, which accounts for a large share of global rabies deaths, largely due to dog bites. Prevention depends on prompt vaccination and proper post-exposure treatment, making vaccine quality critical.
Responding to the Australian warning, Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), the manufacturer of ‘Abhayrab’, has strongly denied claims of widespread circulation of fake vaccines. The company said it had identified a single counterfeit batch with a packaging issue earlier this year, which it claims was promptly reported and removed from circulation. IIL stressed that its vaccines are manufactured under strict quality standards and supplied through authorised channels.
Indian authorities have not issued a nationwide recall so far, and there has been no confirmation of large-scale distribution of fake rabies vaccines within the country. However, health experts say the advisory highlights the need for vigilance, stronger supply-chain monitoring, and better public awareness.
Australian officials have clarified that the alert is a precautionary measure to protect travellers and does not imply that all rabies vaccines given in India are unsafe. Individuals who may have been affected are advised not to panic but to seek medical guidance to ensure full protection against rabies.
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