RABIES VACCINE - SCI & TEC
News: Behind
the ‘dearth’ of rabies vaccine in India
What's in the news?
● A
lack of forecasting and irregular demand by States, as well poor coordination
has resulted in a shortage of anti-rabies vaccine in India.
Key takeaways:
● India’s
rabies vaccine market is growing at a steady rate. Coherent Market Insights, a
market research agency, says in 2022 its market value stood at US$141.4
million. The 2023 estimated value is at US$147.6 million. It is expected to
grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% between 2023 and 2030.
Rabies:
● Rabies
is a disease that is caused by a family of viruses called the lyssaviruses and found in a range of mammals.
● The
virus targets the central nervous system
and is nearly 100% fatal to the host animal if it succeeds in infecting it.
Transmission:
● Though
many animals from cats to crocodiles can be transmitters of the virus, it is
most likely to spread to people from the
bite of an infected dog or a cat as they are the most common pets.
Rabies Vaccine:
● A
shot of rabies immunoglobulin (rabies-antibodies against the virus derived
either from people or horses) followed by a four-week course of anti-rabies
vaccine, is nearly guaranteed to prevent rabies.
Inactivated Vaccine:
● The
vaccine is made up of an inactivated virus that is expected to induce the body
into producing antibodies that can neutralize the live virus in case of
infection.
● There
are also test vaccines that involve genetically modified viruses. There is no
single-shot rabies vaccine or one that offers permanent immunity.
Administration of Vaccine:
Post Exposure prophylaxis (PEP):
● It
is given to persons who have been exposed via a bite to an animal suspected to be infected. The vaccines are
administered either into the muscles, or into the skin.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP):
● It
can also be given ahead of time to
persons who have a high risk of being infected, such as veterinarians,
animal handlers, areas with a high number of rabies infection.
● The
advantage of a PrEP is that if bitten, one doesn’t need a immunoglobulin
injection, and two subsequent shots of the vaccine will suffice for full
protection, unlike the four-course prescription in the case of PEP.
● However,
the WHO doesn’t recommend PrEP as a general preventive.
Rabies Vaccines in India:
● According
to the Health Ministry, there are at
least six rabies vaccines approved for India.
● They
all contain inactivated virus made
of duck, chicken or human cell cultures and are marked as safe, efficacious and
with long immunity.
● Rabies
vaccines are available for free in government dispensaries though vaccines
administered in a private clinic can cost up to ₹500 per dose.
● The
WHO says India is endemic for rabies and
accounts for 36% of the world’s deaths.
Government Measures:
● Dogs
are deemed responsible for 99% of all rabies infections in people.
● The
government in its 2021 plan, called the ‘National
Action Plan for Rabies Elimination’, aims to vaccinate at least 70% of all
dogs in a defined geographical area annually for three consecutive years.