Beware of fake anti-rabies vaccines

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Health authorities have warned the public on the proliferation of fake anti-rabies vaccines after several cases of animal bite victims were discovered using counterfeit vaccines in Koronadal City.

John Codilla, of the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO), said they have monitored a number of fake vaccines that were used by victims who sought treatment at the provincial hospital. He said they are currently investigating the possible sources or suppliers of the counterfeit vaccines, which allegedly carry the barnd Verorab. “We confiscated some of these fake vaccines at the provincial hospital,” he said.

Codilla said they have issued advisories to all Animal Bite and Treatment Centers (ABTC) in the province to properly evaluate the vaccines before administering them to bite victims and seize the fake items. Before using, he urged residents to present the vaccines first to the ABTCs to properly check their validity.

The World Health Organization also issued an alert last month regarding counterfeited Verorab vaccines circulating in parts of the Philippines. It said the genuine vaccine is manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur.

The Department of Health (DOH) earlier said at least two brands are currently available and approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration and these are Speeda and Vaccirub. It temporarily suspended the procurement of Rabipur, a vaccine recommended by the WHO, after it was found to be contaminated with bacterial residues.

Codilla said the move has so far affected the supply of anti-rabies vaccines, with shortages reported in parts of the country, including Region 12. He said there are available human rabies vaccines but are limited for advanced cases of infections.

The DOH provides free vaccines to patients who were bitten by rabid animals, especially dogs, in the upper part of the body, he said. In the wake of the shortage of anti-rabies vaccines, Codilla advised residents to avoid resorting to traditional methods like “tandok, bato and dahon.”

He said these had been proven ineffective and could potentially contaminate and worsen the bite wounds. (Anna Liza Cabrido)