Learn the truth about Abhayrab rabies vaccine, safety concerns, counterfeit alerts, and what Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) officially says in 2025.
Goal:
Understand what the manufacturer Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) says about Abhayrab — including safety, quality, recent advisory news, and what you need to know.
🔑 Introduction — What Is Abhayrab Rabies Vaccine?
Rabies is a deadly virus that kills the brain and nervous system. Once symptoms start, rabies is almost always fatal. But the disease is preventable with a rabies vaccine after a bite or exposure.
Abhayrab is a human rabies vaccine made in India by Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL). It helps people build immunity to the rabies virus after being bitten by a potentially rabid animal — especially dogs, which are the most common source of rabies in countries like India.
This article explains:
- What Abhayrab vaccine is
- How it works
- What recent concerns have been raised
- What IIL says in response
- Safety, authenticity, and FAQs
🧬 What Is Abhayrab Vaccine?
Abhayrab is a purified rabies vaccine used to prevent rabies in humans after exposure. It is produced using vero cell culture technology — a modern and safe way to make vaccines. This technology replaced older and less safe nerve-tissue rabies vaccines that used animal brain tissue. Abhayrab is now the standard rabies vaccine in India.
Key Points About Abhayrab
- Brand of rabies vaccine produced by Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL)
- Uses cultured cells to produce a purified vaccine
- Licensed and tested before release
- Used widely in India and exported to other countries
- Helps generate immunity after rabies exposure
🏢 Who Makes Abhayrab?
Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) is a major Indian vaccine manufacturer. It began in the 1980s, and since 1999 has been producing vaccines for human use — including Abhayrab.
IIL: ✔ Is promoted by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)
✔ Makes life-saving human vaccines and animal vaccines
✔ Has quality systems that are certified and regulated
✔ Supplies vaccines to health programs in India and overseas
🧠 How Does Rabies Vaccine Work?
When you get bitten by a potentially rabid animal:
- Immediate wound care — wash the bite with soap and water
- Rabies vaccine doses — given over a scheduled time
- (Sometimes) Rabies Immunoglobulin — provides immediate protection
The vaccine gives your immune system a “preview” of the virus so your body produces protective antibodies before the real virus can cause damage. Once symptoms of rabies appear, vaccines can’t help — so timely vaccination is essential.
🗞️ Recent News: Advisory on Abhayrab Vaccine (2025)
What Happened?
In December 2025, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) issued an alert about counterfeit rabies vaccines, including Abhayrab, in India. The advisory suggested that some batches of Abhayrab administered since November 1, 2023 might be fake or not fully protective.
They recommended that people in Australia who received these vaccines in India might need replacement doses.
This alert caused concern among travellers and healthcare workers — especially for those vaccinated during visits to India.
🧾 What IIL Says About the Advisory
IIL Responded Strongly
Indian Immunologicals Limited issued an official clarification in late December 2025. Here’s what they said:
1. Isolated Incident
IIL stated that:
- A specific batch had a packaging anomaly identified in January 2025, not a general quality problem.
- The affected batch was Batch # KA24014, manufactured in March 2024 and expired in February 2027.
- That batch, once found suspicious, was removed from the market and is no longer sold.
IIL called the Australian advisory over-cautious and misleading because it referenced vaccine use since late 2023 — not the actual time when IIL identified the issue.
2. Quality and Safety
IIL emphasizes:
- Every batch of Abhayrab is tested and released by the Central Drugs Laboratory of India before sale.
- Vaccines sent through government supply channels and authorized distributors are safe and authentic.
- The company has robust quality and pharmacovigilance systems and continues to ensure safety.
3. Market Position and Confidence
IIL highlighted:
- Abhayrab has been made since 2000 and more than 210 million doses supplied across India and over 40 countries.
- The vaccine holds about a 40% market share in India for human rabies vaccine.
In short, IIL says: ✅ The issue was not about vaccine effectiveness or quality
✅ It was an isolated incident limited to packaging differences
✅ The general public should not lose confidence in Abhayrab vaccine
📊 Why This Matters
Rabies Is Still Dangerous
According to health experts, rabies is fatal once symptoms appear. India records thousands of rabies deaths yearly — mostly from dog bites. A working vaccine post-exposure is the only reliable way to prevent the disease.
Given this reality:
- Vaccines like Abhayrab play a critical role in saving lives
- Public confidence in vaccines must remain high
- Authorities must prevent fake or counterfeit vaccines
🧪 Understanding Counterfeit vs Genuine Vaccine
A counterfeit vaccine may: ❌ Have different packaging
❌ Lack correct formulation
❌ Provide incomplete protection
❌ Not be tested or approved properly
A genuine vaccine: ✔ Is thoroughly tested
✔ Comes from licensed manufacturer
✔ Has correct labeling and batch information
✔ Is stored and handled properly
Tip: Always get vaccinations at reputable hospitals or clinics, and ask to verify vaccine batch details if you’re unsure.
Rabies vaccine cost without insurance
Rabies vaccine cost without insurance can vary by country, hospital, and vaccine brand. In India, each dose usually costs between ₹350 and ₹500 in private clinics. Government hospitals often provide rabies vaccines at low cost or free, especially for dog bite victims.
🧠 FAQs About Abhayrab Rabies Vaccine
Here are common questions people ask:
Q1. Is Abhayrab safe?
Yes — genuine Abhayrab vaccine made by IIL is safe and tested before distribution. IIL, regulators, and official labs ensure safety before the vaccine reaches users.
Q2. What happened with the fake batch?
A specific batch was found to have packaging anomalies. IIL says it proactively flagged this batch to authorities and it is no longer available in the market.
Q3. Should I worry if I got Abhayrab vaccine in India?
Generally no — if you received your vaccine from a government clinic or trusted hospital through authorized supply channels, your dose is likely genuine. If you have specific concerns about a batch given after late 2023, consult a doctor.
Q4. Do I need to repeat my doses?
Only your doctor can advise this. Replacement doses might be considered only if a vaccine was unknown or questionable. For most people, the vaccination schedule already given is sufficient.
Q5. What if I got bitten and missed doses?
If you missed any dose, consult immediately with a healthcare provider. Rabies vaccination must follow a full schedule to be effective.
Q6. Can I verify my vaccine batch?
Yes — you can ask your clinic or hospital to: ✔ Check the batch number on the vial
✔ Confirm the manufacturer and authenticity
✔ Compare it with official records
📌 Best Practices After a Dog Bite
After a possible rabies exposure:
- Wash the wound immediately with soap and water
- Seek medical attention right away
- Start rabies vaccination on time
- Take all doses in the schedule
- Ask about rabies immunoglobulin if needed
Even minor scratches can introduce rabies if the animal was infected — early action saves lives.
🧠 Summary: What IIL Says About Abhayrab
Here’s a short recap:
✔ Abhayrab is a widely used rabies vaccine made by IIL
✔ A single batch had a packaging issue that led to alert
✔ IIL says that was an isolated incident
✔ The vaccine remains safe when genuine
✔ Vaccines are tested before release by government labs
✔ Public confidence and proper vaccine distribution are key
✔ Rabies prevention remains critical because the disease is fatal
📍 Final Words
The Abhayrab rabies vaccine has played a major role in protecting people from rabies in India and several countries abroad for over two decades. Recent headlines about fake vaccine batches should be taken seriously — but also understood in context:
👉 IIL says the issue was limited, acted upon early, and the product remains trusted when sourced properly.
👉 Rabies is deadly — and vaccination is non-negotiable if exposed.
👉 Always get your vaccines from authorized healthcare providers.
If you or someone you know needs rabies protection after an animal bite — talk to a doctor without delay.
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified doctor or healthcare provider for diagnosis, treatment, or vaccination decisions related to rabies or any other medical condition.