Rabies vaccine sales hit 5-year high in 2025 amid rise in dog bite cases

According to data from market research firm Pharmarack, the combined number of ARV and immunoglobulin vaccines sold in 2025 reached 8,510,000 units - the highest in five years

Anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) and immunoglobulin sales are on the rise again after a slump during Covid, amid a marked increase in dog bite cases across the country.  According to data from market research firm Pharmarack, the combined number of ARV and immunoglobulin vaccines sold in 2025 touched 8.5 million units. This is the highest in five years, and a 17 per cent rise from 7.2 million units sold in 2024. 

“ARV sales in moving annual turnover (MAT) terms from January to December 2025 stood at ₹294 crore, a 15 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) increase from ₹255 crore,” Sheetal Sapale, vice-president (commercial) at Pharmarack said. 

This comes even as the Supreme Court has been hearing a suo motu case, initiated on July 28 last year. It is over a media report on stray dog bites leading to rabies, particularly among children, in the national capital. 

In November last year, the apex court had also directed relocation of stray canines to designated shelters after due sterilisation

and vaccination. 

Government data suggests that there has been a 76 per cent rise in dog bites, from 2.1 million in 2022 to 3.7 million in 2024.

While full figures for 2025 are not available, response to a parliamentary query from the Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries stated that 429,664 incidents were reported just in January 2025. 

Doctors are seeing a rise in dog bite cases in their outpatient departments (OPDs), with children and gig workers most affected.

A consultant for infectious diseases at a Gurugram-based hospital told Business Standard that they handle around 25-35 dog bite cases per month. “Five years ago, we would see only 10-15 cases monthly,” she said. 

Manisha Arora, director for internal medicine at Delhi’s CK Birla Hospital, added that children aged below 15 are most affected.

“This is consistent with clinical observations, as children are often more vulnerable as they play outdoors and due to closer interaction with animals,” she added. 

Another doctor added that working adults, such as roadside vendors, gig workers and pedestrians, are also at risk. 

While hospitals in metropolitan areas claim to have a stable ARVs and immunoglobulins stock, several reports have  indicated vaccine shortages in rural areas, where patients may need to travel long distances to access treatment. 

As a result, vaccine makers are preparing to ratchet up production. 

Sanjiv Navangul, managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) at Bharat Serums and Vaccines (BSV), told Business Standard that the company currently supplies more than 130,000 doses of ARVs and rabies immunoglobulins per month. It caters to public and private health systems and hospitals. “By FY26, we aim to increase supplies by 15-20 per cent, supporting India’s mission of ‘Zero by 30’. It aims at eliminating human deaths due to rabies by 2030 through prompt and complete post-exposure treatment.” 

The standard of care for rabies begins with immediate and thorough wound washing under running tap water for at least 15 minutes. This is followed by post-exposure prophylaxis with rabies vaccination. 

In certain high-risk cases, rabies immunoglobulin is also administered in accordance with clinical guidelines. 

Rabies is 100 per cent fatal in humans once symptoms appear, making immediate wound assessment, blood testing, and vaccination critical. Government data shows rabies deaths in India rose from 43 in 2021 to 54 in 2024.\