Q: What is Raksharab's potency and why does it matter for reliable vaccination?
Raksharab's independently validated potency of 7.2 IU per dose confirmed by the EU/WOAH/WHO Reference Laboratory for Rabies, ANSES-Nancy, France using the internationally standardised NIH mouse potency challenge test places it among the highest-potency veterinary anti-rabies vaccines tested globally, at 7.2 times the minimum international threshold of 1.0 IU per dose. Vaccine potency matters because the minimum 1.0 IU threshold is defined as the minimum antigen quantity required to reliably seroconvert an immunologically normal adult dog under controlled test conditions. In real-world field vaccination where animals may have varying nutritional status, parasite burdens, concurrent illness, stress, and partially compromised immune responsiveness a vaccine with potency well above the minimum provides a critical protective buffer that ensures reliable seroconversion and durable protective antibody titres even in animals whose immune responsiveness is suboptimal at the time of vaccination.
Q: At what age can puppies and kittens first receive Raksharab and what is the recommended booster schedule?
Raksharab can be administered from 3 months (12 weeks) of age in puppies and kittens the minimum age at which the maternal antibody levels inherited from the mother have declined sufficiently to allow the puppy or kitten's own immune system to mount a reliable response to vaccination. Vaccination before 3 months carries a significant risk of maternal antibody interference residual maternal antibodies can neutralise the vaccine antigen before the puppy's immune system can respond, resulting in a false sense of security without actual protective immunity. Following the primary dose at 3 months, a booster is recommended at 12 months (1 year of age) and then annually thereafter or as per the vaccination interval specified by local animal control regulations. In India, annual anti-rabies vaccination of dogs is a legal requirement in most states under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and municipal animal control bylaws.
Q: Can Raksharab be used for post-bite rabies exposure management in animals?
Yes Raksharab is indicated for use in post-bite rabies exposure management in animals that have been bitten or otherwise exposed to a potentially rabid animal. For previously vaccinated animals bitten by a potentially rabid animal, immediate booster vaccination with Raksharab combined with thorough wound cleaning is the standard of care. For unvaccinated animals exposed to potential rabies, the post-exposure protocol depends on local regulations, the rabies risk assessment of the biting animal, and the veterinarian's clinical judgement which may include immediate vaccination, observation periods, and in some jurisdictions, euthanasia of unvaccinated exposed animals. All post-exposure management decisions must be made by a licensed veterinarian in consultation with local animal control and public health authorities, as rabies is a notifiable disease with specific legal obligations governing its management.
Q: What cold chain requirements must be maintained for Raksharab and what happens if the cold chain is broken?
Raksharab must be continuously maintained at +2°C to +8°C throughout storage and transport from IIL's manufacturing facility through the distribution chain, veterinary clinic refrigerator, and right up to the point of administration. The vaccine must never be frozen freezing disrupts the aluminium hydroxide adjuvant crystal structure, causes irreversible aggregation of the antigen-adjuvant complex, and may significantly reduce or destroy the vaccine's immunogenic potency, even though the vaccine may appear physically normal after thawing. Similarly, exposure to temperatures above 8°C even briefly accelerates the biological degradation of the inactivated virus antigen and reduces potency. A critical and deceptive characteristic of cold chain failures is that they are invisible a vaccine that has been frozen and thawed, or exposed to elevated temperatures, looks completely identical to a properly stored vaccine. There is no reliable visual indicator of a compromised vaccine. This makes strict, documented cold chain management throughout the entire distribution chain an absolute requirement for every Raksharab vial, not merely a recommendation.
Q: How can veterinary clinics and animal health programme operators procure Raksharab through Animeal?
Registered veterinary practitioners, veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, NGOs operating animal vaccination programmes, and authorised veterinary pharmaceutical distributors can enquire about and procure Raksharab Anti-Rabies Vaccine through Animeal's dedicated veterinary biologicals enquiry channel. Given Raksharab's mandatory cold chain requirements, all procurement enquiries must include confirmation of adequate cold chain storage capacity at the receiving location. Please use the Enquire Now button on this product page or contact our veterinary team directly via WhatsApp or phone with your practice registration or programme operator details your required pack. Our team will coordinate cold-chain-compliant delivery arrangements to your registered clinic or programme site anywhere across India.