Serious shortage of rabies vaccines identified in Switzerland
Published: Friday, Feb 23rd 2024, 15:00
Updated At: Friday, Feb 23rd 2024, 15:00
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Switzerland has a shortage of vaccines against rabies. Until February 2026, vaccines from compulsory stocks will therefore only be distributed for vital treatments, as announced by the Federal Office for National Economic Supply (FONES) on Friday.
The focus is on people who have been bitten by an animal, as well as people who are professionally exposed. These include, for example, people working in veterinary medicine or animal care, the BWL continued.
No rabies vaccine will be available from compulsory stocks for travel medicine until at least February 2026. During a severe shortage, no vaccines will be distributed from the compulsory stocks. This will ensure that the vaccines required for the two vital treatments are available.
According to the BWL, in a normal supply situation, a larger proportion of rabies vaccines are used for travel medicine. A preventive rabies vaccination is recommended for some high-risk countries, but is not mandatory. It makes sense depending on the country, duration and type of trip to remote regions. Travel medicine can still provide these vaccinations with free goods.
The most common transmission of rabies is caused by animal bites. However, infectious saliva from animals can also infect via superficial skin injuries, for example.
Easing expected in around two years
There are two suppliers of rabies vaccines in Switzerland. According to the BWL, both have had to draw on compulsory stocks since the end of 2023. Supplies have been delayed - and there is a global shortage. Until the bottlenecks are overcome, the compulsory stocks must therefore suffice.
The ordinance on the compulsory stock release of vaccines for human medicine has therefore been amended accordingly. It comes into force on February 26. According to the BWL, the supply situation is expected to ease in around two years.
The goods are released from the compulsory warehouse in small quantities. This ensures that they are used exclusively for vital treatments, according to the BWL. As soon as compulsory stockpiled goods come onto the market, the cantonal medical officers inform the medical profession that the intended use is restricted.
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