Rabies vaccine recall: Some pets may need revaccination, company warns

A rabies vaccine recall was recently issued after “a small number of vials” in the batch contained sterile water instead of the vaccine.

Boehringer Ingelheim announced the voluntary recall of one serial lot of its IMRAB 3TF 1 mL rabies vaccine earlier this month.

The company said that while only a limited number of affected vials were identified so far, it moved quickly “out of an abundance of caution” to recall impacted products.

“Veterinarians and clinics that received vaccine from this serial have been notified directly and will be in contact with pet owners whose pet was vaccinated with the recalled serial,” the company said in a news release on February 13.

“We are also recommending revaccination for any pet that received a vaccine from this serialto avoid gaps in protection, maintain compliance with local rabies regulations, and protect public health,” according to the statement.

The recall was conducted with the knowledge and input of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Center for Veterinary Biologics. The company said it has also been in communication with veterinary officials in the states impacted by the recall.

The affected serial accounts for approximately 2.5% of the total IMRAB doses sold in the U.S. in 2025, according to the company. While officials described the overall impact as limited, they acknowledged the significance for the veterinarians, clinics and pet owners directly affected.

Boehringer Ingelheim said it is committed to supporting those impacted and reaffirmed its focus on animal health and disease prevention.

IMRAB 3TF is a widely used rabies vaccine for pets. Rabies vaccination is required in most states and plays a critical role in preventing transmission of the deadly virus to animals and humans.

Pet owners who believe their animal may have received a vaccine from the recalled batch are encouraged to contact their veterinarian for guidance.