Is rabies vaccine in Kerala hospitals effective? Here’s why doctors are doubtful

Thiruvananthapuram: Doctors have urged to test the efficacy of the rabies vaccine stored at the hospitals in Kerala, after three children died despite taking the vaccine. At the health directorate's meetings, the doctors raised their concerns. Drug companies had earlier complained that there were inefficiencies in storing and distributing many medicines, including the rabies vaccine, at the godowns of the Kerala Medical Service Corporation and hospitals. Now, the doctors demand to test the vaccine's efficacy to corroborate these claims. The vaccines were tested 13 times in the last three years at the Rabies Research Centre in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh.

The vaccines have been found safe and efficient in all these tests. So, the doctors and drug companies have been urging to check whether there is any discrepancy in the storage and distribution of the vaccines. Many drugs, including the rabies vaccine, should only be stored in refrigerators. The companies have informed KMSCL that these drugs aren’t stored properly in the godowns or distributed according to the safety guidelines. However, the quality control department has not found a solution for this.

Rabies vaccine and many other medicines should be stored at 2 – 8 degrees Celsius from production until vaccination. The fluctuation in the temperature might reduce its efficacy. The companies transport these medicines to the corporation’s godowns in refrigerated and insulated reefer vans. These drugs are stored in refrigerators at the hospitals, too. However, many hospitals in rural areas do not have generators. In case of power cuts, electricity is supplied for a few hours with the help of UPS. But the fridge gets switched off. Besides, these hospitals close down by 8 pm. So, doctors say that such vaccines should be stored only in hospitals that function at night and have generators. Besides, the doctors also urged to strengthen awareness campaigns among the public. Washing the bite wounds for at least 15 minutes, immediately after getting bitten by dogs improves the chance of recovery.

No action from animal husbandry departments
The local governments and the directorate of animal husbandry refuse to act despite the rising number of people getting bitten by stray dogs. Both departments had conducted rigorous campaigns in 2022 to capture and sterilise rabid dogs. Meanwhile, the government says the number of animal birth control centres would increase. However, Minister MB Rajesh had stated last week that it was not feasible to capture the dogs and put them up in shelters before the birth control centres are opened. He also noted that the rigorous guidelines of the central government prevent them from swiftly opening the ABC centres. Meanwhile, Minister J Chinjurani hasn’t responded to this issue. The number of stray dogs collected as part of the livestock census isn’t revealed. As per the last census conducted in 2019, there are around 2.89 lakh stray dogs in the state.