[CREDIT: RIDOH] The RI Department of Health and DEM reported a shipment of rabies vaccine delivered between Sept. 29 and Jan. 8 has been recalled since it may have only contained sterile water. There are no health risks from the recalled vaccine other than the need to re-vaccinate pets.

PROVIDENCE — State health officials warn pet owners, animal control officers, and municipal clerks that a rabies vaccine delivered to area veterinary clinics between Sept. 29, 2025 and Jan. 8, 2026, which may have been only sterile water, has been recalled.

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) report the vaccine was was made by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health. The recalled lot is IMRAB 3TF, vaccine; 1 mL; Serial 18665; expiration date March 12, 2027. Other manufacturers and brands, and other serial lots manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim, are not affected by the recall.

Recalled rabies vaccine harmless, requires re-vaccination

Rhode Island law requires dogs, cats, and ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies. Any animal that was vaccinated with this lot will not be considered currently vaccinated for rabies management or dog licensing purposes. Any pet that was administered this recalled product should be revaccinated against rabies. There are no health concerns for pets with being administered sterile water or with being readministered rabies vaccine.

Any animal that was vaccinated with this lot will not be considered currently vaccinated for rabies management or dog licensing purposes. Any pet that was administered this recalled product should be revaccinated against rabies. There are no health concerns for pets with being administered sterile water or with being readministered rabies vaccine.

Veterinarians who received the affected vaccine shipment have been notified by the vaccine manufacturer. They have been instructed to contact the owners of pets that were administered this product. Animal control officers and municipal clerks in Rhode Island are also being notified for rabies management and dog licensing purposes. As an added precaution, the owners of pets that were vaccinated against rabies after Sept. 29, 2025 should review their rabies vaccine certificates and contact their veterinarian if this product was administered. Animal owners with questions should contact their veterinarians.

Rabies is a viral disease that is deadly if people do not receive medical care before symptoms start. Rabies is transmitted primarily through the saliva of infected animals, usually through bites, scratches, or contact with broken skin or mucous membranes. The animals most frequently found with rabies are bats, skunks, raccoons, and foxes. An unvaccinated pet that is infected with rabies by another animal can transmit the virus to a human. For this reason, the vaccination of pets is an important measure to prevent human rabies cases.

For more information about rabies, visit: https://health.ri.gov/rabies

Author: Rob Borkowski

Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at editor@warwickpost.com with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.

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