DayFR Euro

Toronto doctors rationing rabies vaccines amid shortage

TORONTO — Toronto Public Health announced it is preserving its supply of rabies vaccines due to a shortage in Ontario.

The health agency on Thursday asked doctors to begin rationing the city’s remaining supplies.

This means that only high-risk exposures, such as direct contact with bats and wildlife, will be eligible for the vaccine.

Vaccine doses will also be adjusted to offer only the first two of four rabies vaccines, and the latter will be provided once they are restocked.

Two rabies vaccines are approved for use in Canada, and both have experienced shortages in recent months, according to a Health Canada website that monitors the supply.

A shortage of RabAvert, produced by Bavarian Nordic, began in October and is expected to end on February 14. Increased demand for the drug is cited as the reason.

Another brand called Imovax Rabies, from Sanofi Pasteur, is facing a shortage due to a “shipping delay” that began in June and is expected to be resolved this month.

Dr. Howard Shapiro, the public agency’s deputy medical officer of health, said the eligibility changes will help extend the city’s stockpile during a “period of very low supply.”

-

“(Toronto Public Health) is actively engaging its network of health care providers, alerting them of the change and awaiting further information from the Ontario Ministry of Health regarding vaccine resupply timelines,” said Dr. Shapiro , in an emailed statement Thursday.

Toronto Public Health says the Ministry of Health has not provided a date when new deliveries will arrive.

Rabies is rare in Canada, but humans can become infected if they are bitten by an animal carrying the virus.

Symptoms, including confusion, breathing problems and seizures, may appear within two to eight weeks.

The Canadian Press’ health content receives funding through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. The Canadian Press is solely responsible for editorial choices.

--

Related News :