Counterfeit Indian rabies vaccine: Australia’s health department issued a warning this week about counterfeit versions of Abhayrab, an Indian anti-rabies vaccine, allegedly circulating in India since November 2023. The advisory recommended that people who received the vaccine contact their doctors to determine if replacement doses are necessary, The Indian Express reported.
Indian Immunologicals Limited, which manufactures Abhayrab and ranks among India’s major vaccine producers, disputed the warning. The company described the Australian advisory as “over-cautionary” and stated that the reference to 2023 misrepresents the current situation. IIL stated that it has contacted Australian health authorities to request a revision of the advisory.
According to IIL’s statement, the company discovered one specific batch of the vaccine in January with altered packaging. The batch, numbered KA24014, was found in the market with different packaging than the company’s standard design. IIL said it immediately notified Indian regulators and law enforcement, who took action.
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The company emphasised that genuine products carrying the same batch number received no complaints. IIL stated no other counterfeit batches have appeared in the market beyond KA24014.
The Australian advisory, released earlier this week, noted that while Abhayrab is unavailable in Australia, people who received the vaccine in India could be affected. Healthcare professionals were instructed to replace any Abhayrab doses or unidentified vaccines received in India with products registered in Australia.
“It is difficult to confirm whether a person has received a genuine or counterfeit vaccine,” the advisory stated. As a precaution, anyone who received Abhayrab in India from November 1, 2023, onward should be considered potentially exposed to a counterfeit vaccine and offered replacement doses.
The advisory also provided recommendations for travellers to countries where rabies occurs. It urged people to avoid contact with wild and domestic animals, seek immediate medical attention if bitten, scratched or exposed to animal saliva, and maintain detailed vaccination records. Travellers should discuss any vaccines received abroad with their general practitioners after returning to Australia.
Australia’s immunisation handbook continues to accept multiple rabies vaccines from India, including products from Cadila, Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech. Abhayrab remains on the accepted list, provided it was not administered in India.
