KGMOA calls for universal rabies vax rollout
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Govt Medical Officers Association ( KGMOA ) has urged the state govt to launch and institutionalize a universal pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) rabies vaccination programme, particularly targeting children and other high-risk groups."The rising number of rabies-related deaths in Kerala has emerged as a serious public health challenge, underscoring the urgent need for proactive, preventive strategies," said Dr Sunil PK, state president of KGMOA, in a statement issued on Tuesday. "The association is calling for the initiation and institutionalization of a universal PrEP rabies vaccination programme to address this challenge."While Kerala has made significant progress in rabies control—through mass dog vaccination drives, increased public awareness, and widespread availability of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)—KGMOA pointed out that achieving zero rabies deaths will require a preventive approach, including pre-exposure immunization.The association called on the govt to prioritize children in the first phase of PrEP rollout, noting that they make up over 35% of dog bite victims. "Children are less likely to report bites or perform proper wound care," said Dr Jobin G Joseph, state secretary of KGMOA.If immediate statewide implementation is not feasible due to financial or logistical constraints, the association recommends starting with the most vulnerable populations, particularly children in high-risk areas with limited access to healthcare.KGMOA also urged the govt to form a task force of experts to design a phased PrEP implementation plan, with a clear roadmap toward universal coverage. The other recommendations include extending PrEP coverage to other high-risk groups such as healthcare workers, veterinary staff, wildlife personnel, sanitation workers, and others with frequent or occupational exposure to rabies.The association said PrEP should be closely integrated with existing rabies control measures, which include timely administration of PEP, sustained dog vaccination, and ongoing public education campaigns. It called on the govt to advocate for the inclusion of rabies PrEP in the national immunisation programme for regions where the disease remains endemic.
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