Thiruvananthapuram: A seven-year-old girl from Kunnikkode in Kollam district is fighting for her life at the SAT Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram after contracting rabies—even though she had received timely vaccination following a dog bite. Her condition is reported to be critical.
According to reports, the girl was bitten by a stray dog on April 8 while playing in her yard. She was promptly administered the anti-rabies vaccine (IDRV) and anti-rabies serum on the same day, followed by three more doses. Only one final dose scheduled for May 6 was pending.
However, she developed a fever on April 28 and was admitted to the hospital, where subsequent tests confirmed rabies infection. This alarming case has raised serious questions about the efficacy of the vaccine or possible complications in administration.
The incident comes just days after a six-year-old girl named Siya Faris from Malappuram, who also received the vaccine after a dog bite, tragically died of rabies at Kozhikode Medical College.
Health officials are now under pressure to investigate the efficacy, storage, and administration of the vaccines being used. Public concern is mounting, with calls for urgent action to address the stray dog menace and ensure robust vaccination protocols.
