The Supreme Court today gave notice to the Central Government demanding the reports on the effectiveness of the rabies vaccines being currently used in India as a response to the petition by the Kerala Pravasi Association.

The request was made in a petition by Dr. Rajendran Vellapalath, the chairman of the Kerala Pravasi Association, and Ms. Aswani Nambarambath, the party′s president, asking for guidance on how to form an independent expert committee to investigate the effectiveness of the intradermal rabies vaccines (IDRVs) currently being given to people in light of the number of deaths that have happened in the nation despite timely administration of the vaccines.

The Union of India has also been instructed to ensure that the National Guidelines for Rabies Prophylaxis, 2019, are implemented correctly and consistently, with periodic changes in accordance with the most recent advancements and scientific data recognized by the World Health Organization.

The petition argued that the rise in rabies-infected dogs is cause for alarm, calling for an investigation of the efficacy of anti-rabies vaccines given to dogs and that the most efficient way to stop the spread of rabies, is to eliminate the source causing rabies.

The Kerala Pravasi Association has relied on recent press reports that show there have been cases when vaccinations have been purchased even before the necessary clearances were received from the Central Drugs Laboratory in accordance with the rules.

It raises concerns about the present treatment regimen by citing recent instances in which people who were bitten by dogs died from rabies despite receiving post-exposure prophylaxis. It also enquired for instructions to be followed in any cases where state governments purchased vaccinations without receiving legal authorization from the Central Drugs Laboratory.

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/supreme-court-issues-notice-to-centre-on-study-over-efficacy-of-current-rabies-vaccines-in-india/95218325)