Vaccine Info

ChiroRab Rabies Vaccine

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Staff
Last reviewed
February 10, 2024
Fact checked by
Robert Carlson, MD
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ChiroRab® Rabies Vaccine

Chirorab® (Rabipur) is an inactivated rabies virus of the strain Flury LEP, a purified chick embryo cell (PCEC) vaccine. Chirorab is an injectable vaccine given to people of any age at higher risk of contracting with rabies-like veterinarians. It is also given to people if it could have rabies after an animal bite. If the vaccine is given immediately and appropriately, it is 100% effective.

Chiron Behring Vaccines are manufactured at its WHO pre-qualified facility in Ankleshwar, Gujarat. Bharat Biotech acquired the company in 2019. Bharat Biotech is a pioneering biotechnology company based in Pune, India, known for its world-class R&D and manufacturing capabilities.

ChiroRab Rabies Vaccine Indication

Chirorab is a vaccine that is used for active pre-post-exposure immunization against Rabies. Post-exposure anti-rabies vaccination should always include the administration of both Immunoglobulin and vaccine, except for persons who have previously received complete vaccination regimens. Therefore, it is essential to complete the vaccine course to prevent this fatal disease. Chirorab may be individuals previously immunized with any human diploid cell rabies vaccine. In addition, ChiroRab can be used in individuals of all ages.

ChiroRab Rabies Vaccine Dosage

The immunogenicity, efficacy, and safety of Chirorab have been assessed in several clinical trials in pre-and post-exposure regimens, using both intramuscular and intradermal routes of administration.

ChiroRab Rabies Vaccine Adverse Reactions

Anaphylactic reactions, including anaphylactic shock that are rare but clinically severe and potentially lethal, systemic allergic reactions, can occur following vaccination. In addition, mild allergic reactions may occur after vaccination, including rashes (widespread) and urticaria (common); these reactions are usually mild and typically resolve within a few days. However, sporadic cases with symptoms of Encephalitis and Guillain-Barré Syndrome have been reported. In clinical trials, the most commonly reported solicited adverse reactions were injection site pain (30-85%) or injection site induration (15-35%). However, most injection site reactions were not severe and resolved within 24 to 48 hours.

ChiroRab Rabies Vaccine News

January 23, 2023 - Bharat Biotech announced on Twitter: "We have issued a voluntary product recall of a specific batch of Chirorab with batch number 4188. This action was initiated due to the theft of Chirorab from the shipping services provider in Karnataka," the company said in a statement. It added that the company had tested batch No. 4188 and released it, but part of the shipment was stolen, for which cold chain storage conditions are unknown. The action to recall the entire batch has been initiated. "We are undertaking this voluntary action by the Principle of Abundant Precaution.

May 20, 2022 - The U.S. CDC has published a warning that rabies could be re-imported into the U.S. after a rescue puppy tests positive for the virus.

December 29, 2020 - Indian Scientists discover the rabies virus's effect on the host brain, a step closer to a cure. After entering the body, the virus remains dormant for 20 to even 90 days without showing any clinical symptoms. When symptoms emerge, little time is available to offer effective treatment. Death occurs within two to seven days. Fatality is thus almost 100 percent. 

November 13, 2019 - Chiron Behring Vaccines, part of Bharat Biotech International Ltd., announced the relaunch of Rabipur as Chirorab. "In our ongoing commitment to address the supply shortages of rabies vaccine, we are making additional investments to increase production capacities to over 15 million doses annually," said Dr. Krishna Ella, CMD of Bharat Biotech.

ChiroRab Rabies Vaccine Clinical Trials

Clinical Trial NCT02545517: A Clinical Study to Evaluate Immune Responses to Rabies Vaccine in Adults Who Received Different Primary Rabies Vaccination Regimens.