MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) is investigating reports of smuggled or unregistered anti-rabies vaccines being sold by private animal bite centers, following the death of a six-year-old boy from Gumaca, Quezon, who died of rabies despite completing post-exposure prophylaxis after a dog bite.

In a press briefing, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said he has yet to receive the official report about the case but confirmed that the department has launched a probe into private vaccination facilities allegedly administering contraband vaccines.

“We discovered that there are vaccines coming in that are not registered with the FDA,” Herbosa said, adding that the DOH met with the Bureau of Quarantine, Food and Drug Administration, and the CIDG to address the issue. “They’re sold at an alarmingly low price and are likely smuggled. Whether they are real or not, if they didn’t pass through the FDA, they should not be sold.”

Herbosa explained that what is often referred to as an “anti-rabies vaccine” is actually post-exposure prophylaxis, a serum containing antibodies to prevent the virus from spreading after a bite. However, he noted that the treatment is not always effective, particularly if the animal was highly rabid, the shots were delayed, or the vaccine itself was substandard.

The health secretary also emphasized that rabies prevention begins with responsible pet ownership. Of the roughly 400 rabies-related deaths in 2024—a figure that doubled from the previous year—54% were traced to unvaccinated pets.

“Vaccinate your pets,” Herbosa urged. “The real vaccine is the one given to dogs. If all pet owners had their animals vaccinated, we could prevent all these deaths.”

He lamented that the DOH is not authorized to procure vaccines for animals, and the responsibility lies with the Bureau of Animal Industry and local government units (LGUs). In contrast, post-exposure vaccines for humans are significantly more expensive, costing around P4,000 per dose.

Herbosa called on LGUs to boost efforts in making animal vaccinations more accessible and encouraged media and private groups to promote annual anti-rabies campaigns, typically held in March.

He also warned the public against playing with stray animals, citing cases of both local and foreign nationals—including a Swedish tourist who died of rabies after being scratched by a kitten in Cebu—who contracted the virus from street animals.

“Let’s educate our children: don’t play with stray dogs or cats. Rabies is 100% preventable but also 100% fatal once symptoms start,” he stressed.