0
0
Chennai: In response to a surge in dog bite incidents and rabies deaths, the Directorate of Public Health (DPH) in Tamil Nadu has mandated that all primary healthcare centres (PHCs) across the state provide round-the-clock anti-rabies vaccination for animal bite victims. This directive follows a Times of India investigation revealing severe shortages of anti-rabies vaccines and restricted vaccination timings at PHCs, often limited to mornings due to concerns over vaccine wastage.
Previously, many PHCs reported vaccine availability only between 9 am and noon, citing the need to discard multi-dose vials within six hours of opening. Additionally, none of the centres had rabies immunoglobulin in stock, a critical component for treating severe exposures and bites.
Dr. T S Selva Vinayagam, Director of Public Health, highlighted the urgency of the move after Kerala reported three rabies deaths in children despite vaccination. He pointed to failures such as delays in starting post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), improper wound cleaning, skipped doses, and lack of immunoglobulin administration, as well as issues with vaccine storage and administration. In rare cases, a more virulent strain of the virus may also contribute to vaccine failure.
Tamil Nadu has witnessed a steady rise in dog bite cases and rabies deaths over the past five years. In 2025, the state recorded 18 rabies deaths and over 300,000 dog bite cases. The previous year saw 24 deaths and 480,000 bites, up from 18 deaths and 441,000 bites in 2023, according to DPH records.
Dr. Selva Vinayagam emphasized, “Prompt and correct PEP is critical.” He instructed PHCs to provide emergency care at all hours, with nurses on night duty even if doctors are unavailable. Staff have been told to prioritize immediate wound cleaning and timely administration of vaccines and immunoglobulin, regardless of concerns about wastage. To further address wastage, the health department is considering a shift from multi-dose to single-dose vaccine vials for future procurement.
Rabies is a deadly viral infection that attacks the brain and nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. Experts stress that timely, complete vaccination and proper wound care are essential for prevention, especially in severe (category 3) exposures, which require both vaccine and immunoglobulin administration.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information as of July 5, 2025, and summarizes recent directives and data from the Directorate of Public Health, Tamil Nadu. For the latest medical advice or updates, please consult official government sources or healthcare professionals.
