1. What triggered the concern

1.1 Health authorities in Australia and the United States issued a warning about a counterfeit human anti-rabies vaccine called Abhayrab
1.2 The vaccine had been available in India and in circulation since November 1, 2023
1.3 The warning followed reports of rabies cases detected in travellers from India
1.4 This raised concerns that the vaccine may be ineffective in preventing rabies

2. What the US CDC flagged

2.1 In a travel notice dated November 25, 2025, the US CDC stated that a counterfeit Abhayrab vaccine was circulating in major Indian cities
2.2 The CDC warned that the vaccine could be harmful and fail to prevent rabies
2.3 Travellers who received Abhayrab in India after November 1, 2023 were advised to treat their vaccination as invalid
2.4 Such individuals were advised to start a new vaccination course

3. What the manufacturer clarified

3.1 On December 27, 2025, Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) stated that a counterfeit batch of Abhayrab had been identified
3.2 The company clarified that the counterfeit vaccine is no longer available on shelves
3.3 IIL stated that every genuine vaccine batch manufactured in India is tested and released by the National Control Laboratory (Central Drugs Laboratory)
3.4 The Central Drugs Laboratory is a WHO-Geneva pre-qualified laboratory functioning under the National Regulatory Authority

4. What patients should do if a counterfeit vaccine is suspected

4.1 Patients who suspect that they have received a counterfeit vaccine should consult a healthcare provider immediately
4.2 The healthcare provider will determine whether replacement doses of a verified, authentic vaccine are required
4.3 Repeat rabies vaccination is allowed and safe because the rabies vaccine is an inactivated vaccine and does not contain a live virus
4.4 Revaccination may be recommended in cases of suspected vaccine ineffectiveness or exposure

5. Medical guidance on revaccination

5.1 Doctors recommend revaccination whenever there is doubt about vaccine quality, authenticity, or schedule compliance
5.2 Revaccination is advised in cases of inappropriate dosage, poor cold-chain maintenance, or lack of records
5.3 If a previously vaccinated person has fresh exposure and there is doubt about immunity, repeating the dose is advisable
5.4 In immunocompromised individuals, revaccination may be required if immunity is inadequate
5.5 As rabies is a life-threatening disease, ensuring immunity takes priority, making revaccination necessary when there is uncertainty

6. Rabies vaccination regimen

6.1 Without a valid vaccination record, a person is considered previously unvaccinated
6.2 A full rabies vaccination regimen is required, usually on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28
6.3 Rabies immunoglobulin should be administered in cases of severe exposure
6.4 If a person has been vaccinated earlier and has proper documentation, only booster doses are required

7. India’s rabies burden

7.1 India is endemic for rabies and accounts for 36% of global rabies deaths
7.2 Available estimates indicate 18,000–20,000 deaths every year
7.3 Around 30–60% of reported rabies cases and deaths occur in children under 15 years
7.4 Rabies cases in children often go unrecognised and unreported

8. Rabies prevention and national response

8.1 Human rabies deaths are 100% preventable through prompt and appropriate medical care
8.2 Vaccinating dogs is the most cost-effective strategy to prevent rabies in humans
8.3 India has implemented the National Rabies Control Programme and the National Action Plan for Rabies Elimination
8.4 The goal is to eliminate dog-mediated rabies by 2030
8.5 The WHO and its partners aim to end human deaths from dog-mediated rabies through a One Health approach, including mass dog vaccination, post-exposure prophylaxis, health-worker training, improved surveillance, and community awareness