Rabies prevention ignored: Oral vaccine promise remains unfulfilled

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite the Kerala government’s claim that it would develop an indigenous oral rabies vaccine to prevent rabies deaths, not a single penny has been allocated for it. In the 2023-24 budget, Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal had announced Rs 5 crore for this project, with approval to complete it within five years. However, two years have already been wasted, and apart from a few discussions, no action has been taken.

The plan was to develop the vaccine at the Institute of Advanced Virology in Thonnakkal with the cooperation of the Department of Animal Husbandry and the Veterinary University. Kerala was the first state in India to venture into developing an oral rabies vaccine for animals, as no such vaccine is currently manufactured in the country. The goal was to carry out the vaccine development and trials at the Virology Institute and to produce the vaccine at the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals in Palode, Thiruvananthapuram, under the Animal Husbandry Department.

Precious time is being wasted
In European countries, oral vaccines have helped effectively control rabies. These vaccines can be given in edible form, even to stray dogs.

Although the 'Zero Rabies Mission' organisation in Goa was ready to procure and distribute oral vaccines from abroad, the central government did not grant permission. Therefore, developing an indigenous vaccine became the only solution. Currently, there is no oral rabies vaccine approved for use in India.

• Meat, eggs, and other food materials will be used to deliver the vaccine virus to animals.
• It can be given in forms like biscuits and cakes, making it easy to administer to stray dogs.
• Dogs that consume the vaccine will not transmit rabies even if they bite.
• This vaccine can also be given to pets and wild animals.