Health Ministry says no central data on rabies deaths or vaccine coverage

The Ministry replied that health is a state subject, no nationwide shortage has been reported, and specific data on vaccine recipients and deaths is not maintained centrally.

Asked and answered by: Asked by: Adv. Adoor Prakash; Answered by: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda)

What the government said

• Health is a State subject; primary responsibility for vaccine procurement and availability rests with State/UT Governments.
• Government of India has not received reports of a nationwide shortage, though temporary local shortages may occur due to demand or supply chain issues.
• Financial support is provided to States/UTs under the National Health Mission (NHM) and National Free Drug Initiative (NFDI) for purchasing Anti-Rabies Vaccine (ARV) and Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG).
• The National Action Plan for Dog-Mediated Rabies Elimination by 2030 (NAPRE-2030) was launched jointly by the Ministry of Health and the Department of Animal Husbandry.
• 14 rabies diagnostic laboratories have been strengthened.
• 284 Model Anti-Rabies Clinics have been established.
• Approximately 1.66 lakh healthcare professionals have been trained on animal bite management and rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.
• The Rabies Helpline (15400) has been launched in five states: Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, and Puducherry.
• The Rabies-Free City Initiative is implemented in 15 cities across six states, with plans to expand to 114 cities.

Also in the document

• The answer states that data on the number of persons who have received anti-rabies vaccine is not maintained centrally.
• The answer states that state-wise human rabies death data is not maintained centrally, despite advice to states to report cases via the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program.
• The answer attributes the primary responsibility for ensuring uninterrupted vaccine availability to State/UT Governments rather than the central government.