False Rabies Vaccinations in India

Healthcare professionals across the United Kingdom (UK) have expressed concerns about individuals who may have received a fraudulent rabies vaccine while visiting India, where dog bites from infected animals are common.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed in January 2025 that the falsified Abhayrab vaccine was first brought to the attention of the Drug Controller General of India by Indian Immunologicals Limited.

They stated that this counterfeit product poses a significant threat to public health due to concerns regarding its efficacy, the presence of potentially harmful components, and the risk of treatment failure in preventing rabies, a fatal disease.

In late October 2025, the TravelHealthPro website disclosed that public health agencies in the four nations of the UK are conducting a retrospective review to identify any travelers who received a rabies vaccine following an animal bite in India from November 2023 onward. The purpose is to determine whether additional rabies vaccinations may be recommended.

Rabies is a rare but severe viral infection that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but vaccination and early treatment can prevent it. It can be challenging to determine whether an animal is infected with rabies, so cleaning the wound and seeking prompt medical advice after a possible exposure are essential.

The UKHSA wrote that travellers to India should discuss any concerns about the legitimacy of a vaccine with a healthcare provider and keep a written record of any vaccines they receive abroad. Consider taking a photo of the vaccine product. A detailed review is being carried out for travellers who have returned to the UK but received part of their rabies post-exposure vaccine course in India.

Travellers still in India who think they may have received this falsified vaccine between November 2023 and the present day should seek advice from the centre where they were vaccinated regarding the product they received and any additional treatment advised.

If travellers have confirmation that they received a different brand of rabies vaccine in India, then they can be reassured that they will not require additional vaccine.

In the United States, the CDC says about 1.4 million Americans receive healthcare for a possible rabies exposure annually, 100,000 receive post-exposure prophylaxis, and fewer than 10 die from rabies due to robust prevention efforts.

U.S. FDA-approved rabies vaccines are offered at clinics and pharmacies.