Rabies vaccine recall precautionary : IMB

Two specific batches of a rabies vaccine have been recalled from the Irish market as part of a worldwide recall by French company Aventis Pasteur MSD Limited.

Two batches were marketed in Ireland between October 24, 2003 and April 02, 2004, according to the Irish Medicines Board (IMB).

It stated that the risk of potential harm ranges somewhere between nil to negligible.

The IMB is consulting with the French regulatory authorities and Aventis about the French-manufactured vaccine.

A low level of contamination with a live weakened rabies virus was detected in a single batch which was rejected by the company and never released to the market.

The IMB have advised that they are in contact with the National Disease Surveillance Centre (NDSC), Department of Health and Children (DoHC) and relevant national and international experts in this area.

Relevant healthcare professionals are also being advised on the situation.