1.27 Lakh Rabies Vaccine Vials Undelivered in Delhi Due to Cold Storage Shortage
Amid a shortage of rabies vaccines in Delhi's government hospitals, a consignment of over 1.27 lakh vials meant for public healthcare facilities has remained undelivered due to inadequate cold storage capacity at the designated government warehouse, according to a letter from the Serum Institute of India to the Central Procurement Agency (CPA).
In the letter dated June 22, the Pune-based vaccine manufacturer stated that it had kept the entire consignment of 1,27,223 vials ready for dispatch for a 'long time' under a supply order issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on March 27 this year.
Sources in the state health department confirmed a severe shortage of rabies vaccines across Delhi government hospitals. 'A couple of hospitals have managed to stock up in small quantities through local purchases, but the majority do not have it,' an official source said.
The supply order required delivery to the Central Warehouse at the Super Specialty Hospital (SSH) in Janakpuri, West Delhi. However, when Serum Institute representatives approached the warehouse, the store keeper informed them that the consignment could not be accepted due to a lack of cold storage space.
The Central Warehouse at Janakpuri Super Speciality Hospital manages procurement, storage, and distribution of medical supplies, including vaccines that require temperature-controlled storage (cold chain) to remain safe and effective. The anti-rabies vaccine needs strict temperature control to maintain its efficacy.
In the letter, the Serum Institute requested the CPA—the nodal agency responsible for procuring medicines for public healthcare facilities—to identify an alternative delivery location. It also sought a 20-day extension in the delivery timeline to complete the supply once a revised delivery point is confirmed.
The delay raises concerns about the availability of anti-rabies vaccines, particularly as they are used for post-exposure prophylaxis after dog and animal bites. In January, the Delhi government declared human rabies a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act, aiming for zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies in the national capital. Notifying rabies ensures formal reporting to health authorities, triggering immediate medical response and life-saving treatments for exposed individuals.
The anti-rabies vaccine is critical for Delhi, which has seen a surge in stray dog attacks and rabies risks. The Supreme Court last year expressed concern over such incidents. Official data shows Delhi recorded 51,773 dog bite cases in 2023, and by August 2025, the figure reached 44,995, highlighting the scale of exposure risk and the need for robust surveillance.
