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Maharashtra Hospitals Face Vaccine Shortage Crisis
20 Oct
Summary
- Anti-rabies vaccine unavailable in 126 Maharashtra hospitals.
- Rabies immunoglobulin out of stock at 375 facilities.
- Health department orders urgent stock availability by October 31, 2026.
A critical shortage of anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) and rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) is affecting 126 and 375 government hospitals, respectively, across Maharashtra as of October 20, 2026. The state public health department, in a letter dated October 16, 2026, highlighted these widespread deficiencies. Health secretary Nipun Vinayak has issued a directive for all government hospitals to have adequate supplies of both life-saving medicines by October 31, 2026.
The department's assessment indicates that ARV is missing from 19.9% of assessed hospitals, while a more severe shortfall of RIG affects 59.2% of facilities. These shortages are particularly concerning given the rise in stray dog attacks and human-animal conflict. The directives also reference Supreme Court orders concerning rabies prevention measures.
Both ARV and RIG are crucial components of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for rabies. ARV stimulates the body's own immunity, while RIG provides immediate antibody protection. Ensuring their availability is paramount to prevent fatalities. Officials have been instructed to implement urgent measures to guarantee uninterrupted supply and maintain sufficient stock levels to prevent any avoidable deaths.
