Pakistan achieves milestone: First fully local rabies vaccine developed

(Web Desk): For the first time in Pakistan, Dow University of Health Sciences has developed a locally made rabies vaccine.

Dow University has prepared a "purified, inactivated, lyophilized" vaccine from locally sourced rabies viruses. This is the first fully locally produced human vaccine.

Currently, batches based on approval for future clinical trials will be prepared.

According to details, the initial raw doses of the vaccine named DOW Rab were produced in 2024, providing 30,000 doses, with plans to produce an additional 170,000 doses.

Approximately 2 million doses of rabies vaccine are imported annually, but now complete local vaccination production will relieve this financial burden by 2031. The vaccine’s proposed use will especially benefit rural areas where dog bite incidents are more common.

Commercial production of the traditional vaccine started in 2024, but the modern and fully human vaccine was developed for the first time in 2025.

After trials and final approval, the vaccine will be manufactured and distributed nationwide.