Shortage in human rabies vaccines noted

THE Davao City Veterinarian's Office said there is enough supply of animal rabies vaccines, but a shortage in human rabies vaccines.

Gay Pallar, CVO rabies coordinator, said the shortage is due to low global production.

“Worldwide siya na shortage because of production mao na nga ang concentration is naa sa mga iro ug iring (It is a global shortage because of production that is why the concentration shifted to cats and dogs),” she said during the Ispeak media forum held last Thursday, October 18.

Pallar, however, said that animal rabies vaccines still have ample supply until the end of the year.

“Actually naa tay shortage sa human rabies vaccines but enough ang animal rabies vaccine so naa tay enough na bakuna para sa mga iro ug iring (Actually we have a shortage on human rabies vaccines but we have sufficient vaccines for cats and dogs),” Pallar said.

She added that there are a total of 104,492 vaccinated cats and dogs from January to September 2018, out of the 150,000 target for the whole year.

Human rabies vaccines cost P1,600 to P1,800 per shot, Three to four shots are needed for pre-exposure. An additional shot is needed if the cat or dog has been found positive for rabies.

“Ingon ana kamahal ang magpabakuna sa mga tao mao na nga maypa ug diri ta mag-concentrate sa mga iro ug iring kay ang kantidad sa bakuna nga ginhatag nato sa animals is only P25 per shot (Human rabies vaccines cost a lot that is why it is better to concentrate on vaccination among cats and dogs as it will only cost us P25 per shot),” she said.