Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), the manufacturer of anti-rabies vaccines Abhayrab, has now clarified that it has “proactively” found a “packaging defect” in a “batch” and that the “counterfeit batch” of the vaccine “is no longer on the shelf” to assuage the fears that emerged after the Australian health authorities had issues a serious warning to the public after finding “counterfeit batches” of the rabies vaccine.
An alert was issued by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), as well as the state health departments, concerning the fact that travelers who took the vaccine in India, from November 1, 2023, might not be protected from the virus at all. “It is crucial to highlight that this was an isolated incident,” it was stated.
It explained that it noticed the packaging irregularity in January of 2025 (batch #KA 24014). The company explained that it immediately informed the Indian authorities and law enforcement agencies and filed a complaint to ensure this matter is addressed quickly.
The company issued a firm denial against the overly cautious and non-specific mention of the year 2023 cited in a recent healthcare alert issued in Australia, clarifying the alert is not representative of the present circumstances.
Abhayrab vaccine has been made by the Indian Immunologicals Ltd. (IIL) since the year 2000 and has already distributed over 210 million doses not only to India but to 40 countries and still enjoys the market share of 40% in India. Reaching out to the healthcare professionals and the general public, the Indian Immunologicals Ltd. assured that each vaccine lot manufactured in India is tested and certified by the Central Drugs Laboratory before it is released for the purpose of sale and use. “Also, the supplies to the government institutions and the authorized dealers are safe and standard quality,” the company stated.
Sunil Tiwari, Vice President & Head of Quality Management at IIL, stated, “The objective of IIL is to reassure stakeholders that the company’s pharmacovigilance and quality processes are robust and that the public continues to put their trust in the quality of the vaccines distributed directly by IIL and its approved channels.”
