Rabies
On 5th April 2004 The Medicines and Health Care Products Regulatory
Agency (MHRA) informed the UK Health Departments of a recall of Rabies Vaccine BP (Aventis Pasteur).
A recent quality-assurance test identified the presence of non-inactivated (ie live) Pitman-Moore virus
(an attenuated vaccine strain) in a single product lot that was not distributed. Finding non-inactivated
virus in a lot after it was manufactured indicates a failure in the manufacturing process, and the vaccine
might not be safe to give to humans.
As a precautionary measure Aventis Pasteur have issued a voluntary recall
of a number of batches of rabies vaccine which were made at the same time as the batch containing non
inactivated rabies virus. It should be noted that these batches have all passed EU and USA quality assurance
tests, including tests to make sure the rabies virus has been inactivated.
The UK Health Departments, in conjunction with the Health Protection
Agency and the MHRA have carried out a risk assessment and determined that the risk to patients from
the recalled vaccine is very low. Any person who has received rabies vaccine since 26 February 2004,
for travel related or other reasons, and who has concerns is advised to contact their GP or whoever
provided them with vaccine for further advice. Further information is available in the detailed Questions
and Answers below and on the website of the Health Protection Agency at www.hpa.org.uk
