Why ABTCs Need a WHO-Prequalified Vaccine for Rabies Control

Rabies remains one of the most fatal but entirely preventable diseases in the Philippines. Each year, thousands of Filipinos are exposed to animal bites, and hundreds still lose their lives to rabies despite the availability of proven vaccines. The frontline defense in communities are Animal Bite Treatment Centers (ABTCs), which provide post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to patients. Yet the success of ABTCs depends on a single, non-negotiable factor: access to reliable, effective rabies vaccines.

For an ABTC, the vaccine you choose is not just a matter of supply — it is a matter of life and death. And when it comes to ensuring both safety and quality, the gold standard is clear: WHO prequalification.

What Does “WHO Prequalified” Mean?

The World Health Organization (WHO) established its prequalification program to guarantee that vaccines purchased and used by governments meet the highest standards of safety, efficacy, and quality manufacturing. Prequalified vaccines undergo rigorous evaluation of clinical trial results, production facilities, potency testing, and long-term stability.

For ABTCs and local government units, WHO prequalification is not just a scientific seal of approval — it is a practical assurance. It means that the vaccine has been scrutinized at a global level and can be confidently used in any patient population without second-guessing its effectiveness.

Why WHO Prequalification Matters for ABTCs

1. Compliance with International and National Standards
   ABTCs are guided by Department of Health (DOH) regulations and supported by international commitments such as the goal of eliminating human rabies deaths by 2030. Using a WHO-prequalified vaccine aligns with these mandates, ensuring centers are not only compliant but also positioned as credible providers of essential services.

2. Confidence in Patient Safety
   In every ABTC, patients include children, pregnant women, and individuals with existing health conditions. WHO prequalification guarantees that the vaccine has been tested across diverse populations and found safe. This allows health workers to vaccinate with confidence, knowing they are giving patients a globally validated product.

3. Operational Reliability
   When patients arrive at an ABTC, there is no room for hesitation or doubt. A WHO-prequalified vaccine eliminates questions of quality or potency. Staff can focus on patient care, not on whether the vaccine in their hands meets the mark.

4. Public Trust
   Communities rely on ABTCs during times of fear and urgency. Providing a WHO-prequalified vaccine strengthens public trust in the center and the LGU, demonstrating a commitment to the highest standards of care.

ChiroRab: A WHO-Prequalified Solution You Can Rely On

One Top Medical Systems Resources provides ChiroRab, a purified chick embryo cell (PCEC) rabies vaccine that has received WHO prequalification. More than 80 million doses have been distributed worldwide, backed by over 25 years of post-marketing experience. For ABTCs, this track record translates into assurance: countless health systems have already trusted ChiroRab to protect their populations.

Key advantages of ChiroRab include:

• WHO Prequalification: Certified for safety, potency, and quality manufacturing.

• High Potency (≥2.5 IU/dose): Meeting and exceeding global standards for rabies vaccines.

• Flexible Regimen Use: Compatible with all WHO-recommended intramuscular (IM) and intradermal (ID) schedules.

• Broad Safety Profile: Proven safe for children, adults, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals.

• No Preservatives: Manufactured with a high purification process to minimize adverse reactions.

For ABTCs, this means one vaccine that works across every regimen, for every patient, under every situation.

The Cost of Choosing Otherwise

When centers procure vaccines that are not WHO prequalified, the risks multiply:

• Regulatory uncertainty: Non-prequalified vaccines may not align with DOH standards.

• Operational risk: Lower potency vaccines can mean wasted vials, dosing errors, or reduced protection.

• Loss of community trust: Patients expect the best available protection — anything less can erode confidence.

• Potential liability: Failure to provide a recognized vaccine could expose ABTCs and LGUs to reputational and governance issues.

Ultimately, rabies deaths are 100% preventable. But they can only be prevented if ABTCs are equipped with a vaccine of proven quality.

A Call to Action for ABTCs

ABTC coordinators and LGUs cannot afford to gamble with rabies control. The vaccine chosen today determines whether patients live without fear or risk a preventable death.

By choosing a WHO-prequalified vaccine like ChiroRab, ABTCs:

• Ensure compliance with global and national standards.

• Guarantee patient safety across all groups.

• Build trust in their communities.

• Protect budgets by investing in proven potency and multi-regimen flexibility.

Rabies elimination by 2030 is possible. But it starts with every ABTC making the right choice — to secure a WHO-prequalified vaccine that meets the highest standards. For Philippine ABTCs, that choice is clear: order ChiroRab from One Top Medical Systems Resources and protect every life that walks through your doors.