Australia flags ‘fake’ rabies jab; Indian manufacturer counters claim

Australian health authorities have raised concerns over alleged counterfeit versions of the rabies vaccine Abhayrab in India, prompting a response from its manufacturer, Indian Immunologicals (IIL). The company clarified that the issue pertained to a single batch identified in January 2025 and did not merit a blanket warning.

The company strongly refuted the “over-cautionary and misplaced reference” to 2023 made in the recent Australian advisory, stressing that it “does not reflect the current situation”.

Abhayrab has been manufactured by IIL since 2000, with over 210 million doses supplied across India and 40 countries. It continues to hold a 40 per cent market share in India.

Last week, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advised that Australian travellers who received the anti-rabies vaccine Abhayrab in India after November 1, 2023, should consider the vaccination invalid and start a new course. In January 2025, IIL proactively identified a packaging anomaly in one specific batch.

A company official said, “The company immediately notified Indian regulators and law enforcement agencies, lodged a formal complaint and worked closely with authorities to ensure swift action. Importantly, this was an isolated incident and the counterfeit batch is no longer available on shelves.”

IIL emphasised that every batch of vaccine manufactured in India was tested and released by the Central Drugs Laboratory before being made available for sale or administration.

Sunil Tiwari, vice-president & head of quality management, IIL, said the company aimed to reassure stakeholders that its pharmacovigilance and quality systems were robust and the public could continue to trust vaccines supplied directly by IIL and its authorised channels.