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Australia Warns on Suspected Counterfeit Rabies Vaccine in India as Maker Calls Issue Isolated

Clinicians in Australia plan replacement doses with serology checks for travellers who may have received falsified vials.

Overview

  • ATAGI’s 22 December advisory says Abhayrab doses given in India on or after 1 November 2023 should be considered potentially invalid, even though the product is not supplied in Australia.
  • Guidance recommends repeat vaccination with Australia‑registered products such as Rabipur or Verorab plus antibody testing, with state public health units conducting follow‑up for known cases.
  • Indian Immunologicals Limited disputes a blanket warning, asserting the problem involved a single counterfeit event tied to batch KA24014 identified in January 2025 and requesting ATAGI review its notice.
  • The manufacturer says the suspect batch was removed from sale and emphasizes that government‑channel and authorised‑distributor supplies are tested and released by India’s Central Drugs Laboratory.
  • Local probes reported fake vials in major hubs including Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Lucknow, with entry points traced to wholesaler or grey‑market distribution, including a Delhi advisory issued on 23 March 2025.