Health centres run out of anti-rabies vaccines in Chennai

CHENNAI: A domestic help, a student on way to school and an elderly woman on an evening stroll were all bitten by stray dogs and went to the primary health centre at Virugambakkam over the last three days. They were turned away as there was no stock of anti-rabies vaccine.

"My help was told to go to the Government Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital or take the vaccine at a private hospital," said Madhan, a techie who resides at Natesan Nagar. While the help managed to get the vaccine from a neighbourhood clinic, construction worker Sekar decided to ignore the bite. "I will have to miss a day's wage too if I have to travel that far for a vaccine," he said, hoping the dog wasn't infected with rabies.

Packs of strays lurk in public parks, street corners and construction sites, chasing two-wheelers and cyclists. "There is a visible increase in the dog population, and we see at least half-a-dozen litters on almost every street of the area," said Ambika S, who works as a saleswoman in a supermarket. While many elderly people carry a stick, pet owners say walking their dogs on streets is a nightmare.

On Monday, after TOI's complaint officials at Greater Chennai Corporation sourced a 10-dose vial from the nearest upgraded community health centre. All community health centres stock up at least 20 doses (two vials) of the vaccines in their pharmacy, officials. "We ensure there is stock in all PHCs. It is available free of cost, and we recommend it for all animal bite victims," said city health officer Dr M Jagadeesan.

Rabies, a viral disease transmitted through an infected animal's saliva, kills 20-25 people in Tamil Nadu every year. Public health experts say death is preventable.

Vaccines taken soon after exposure are nearly 100 per cent effective. The state has the policy to provide these vaccines free of cost at all government hospitals including primary health centres. If vaccines aren't available in PHCs people like Sekar may just ignore vaccination.