Kerala to institute an expert panel to check the quality of anti-rabies vaccines

Chief Minister surprises the Opposition by acceding to one of their main demands that the anti-rabies vaccine be subjected to quality checks

The Health department will engage an expert committee to check if there are any quality or efficacy issues related to the anti-rabies vaccine supplied across the State now, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the Assembly on Tuesday.

Intervening during the discussion on the adjournment motion moved by P.K. Basheer on the burgeoning population of stray dogs and the frightening increase in human rabies deaths in the State this year, Mr. Vijayan agreed that the instances of people dying of rabies, despite getting vaccinated, has indeed triggered much anxiety and fear amongst the public.

Also read: Kerala government forms action plan to tackle rabies

While the medical experts in the State had given the scientific explanation on why the anti-rabies vaccine did not protect the dog bite victims from rabies and death, it was necessary that the public fears over the efficacy of anti-rabies vaccination were allayed, Mr. Vijayan said.

By saying so, the Chief Minister, went against the stand of the Health Minister, Veena George, in the House that nothing was amiss with the anti rabies vaccine now available in the State.

He, in effect, surprised the Opposition by acceding to one of their main demands without demur, that the anti-rabies vaccine be subjected to quality checks.

The Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan, welcomed the pronouncement by the CM and the Opposition for once, chose not to walk out from the House.