Rabies is one of the oldest and most feared infectious diseases in human history. Once rabies occurs, the patient will certainly die. Today, rabies is endemic in over 150 countries around the world.
Although rabies can be prevented with vaccines, it is estimated that more than 50,000 people die each year in the world, especially in poor areas and the most vulnerable population groups, including up to 40% of rabies. Rabies deaths occur in children under 15 years old in Asian and African countries.
The number of people bitten by animals increased rapidly, while rabies vaccine manufacturing companies could not keep up the supply. In recent times, there has been a short-term shortage of vaccines, causing great risks to people, especially vulnerable groups. If there is a shortage of rabies vaccine, it will affect health security and social security.
At the ceremony to donate 10,000 doses of rabies vaccine for disease prevention and control in Vietnam, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong - Head of the National Rabies Prevention Program Office - Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, said: In the first 6 months of 2024, the country recorded 56 deaths due to rabies, an increase of 50% compared to the same period in 2023.
In the past 3 years, the number of people injured by animal bites in Vietnam has increased continuously, up to 30 - 40%. In 2023, the whole country will have 82 people die from rabies, nearly 700,000 people will have to be vaccinated with vaccines and anti-rabies serum after being bitten by dogs and cats. The risk of rabies in Vietnam is present and very high.
"The support of Duc Minh Medical Joint Stock Company, AMV Medical Group in coordination with Indian Immunological Ltd Company (India) to donate 10,000 doses of rabies vaccine to Vietnam is extremely timely and has great humanitarian significance. "- Mrs. Huong said.
The Office of the National Rabies Prevention Program is the focal point to receive the above vaccines and synthesize and register the quantity of rabies vaccines from localities that need to be sent.
According to Ms. Huong, these vaccines will be allocated to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in mountainous localities, places with a high number of deaths from rabies and a shortage of rabies vaccines to vaccinate people free of charge. in the program. Localities receiving rabies vaccine include Ha Giang, Yen Bai, Bac Kan, Hoa Binh...
Indian Immunological Ltd is the largest rabies vaccine manufacturer in the world, each year producing 80 million doses of rabies vaccine for 20 countries, contributing to saving tens of millions of lives.
Dr. Anand Kumar, General Director of Indian Immunological Ltd, hopes that the donation of rabies vaccines will save the lives of many Vietnamese people who cannot afford free vaccinations.
Mr. Nguyen Binh Minh - Chairman of the Board of Directors, General Director of AMV Medical Group - added that the group is trying to coordinate with partners so that rabies vaccines are given free of charge to the poor and has built a plan. Rabies vaccine is intended to reduce people's pain when bitten by rabid dogs.
