The Allegheny County Health Department is asking pet owners across the county to pull out their rabies paperwork and look closely, after a manufacturer recall of a specific rabies vaccine lot. Officials say any pet that received a rabies shot after September 29, 2025, should have its vaccination certificate checked, and owners should call their veterinarian if the recalled product shows up on the record. Veterinarians who received the shipment are being notified, and animals that got doses from the affected vials will likely need to be re-vaccinated.
The recall involves IMRAB 3TF, serial 18665, with an expiration date of March 12, 2027. County officials say some vials in that shipment may have contained only sterile water instead of vaccine. As reported by CBS Pittsburgh, the county notice urges owners to pull up their pets’ rabies certificates and check the lot information if their animal was vaccinated after late September 2025. Clinics are expected to reach out directly to affected owners as manufacturers and distributors track where the lots were sent.
Which pets might be affected
State public health agencies and veterinary associations report that the suspect shipment was distributed to clinics between September 29, 2025, and January 8, 2026, and that only this single serial is part of the recall. According to the Rhode Island Department of Health, any animal given a dose from that serial “will not be considered currently vaccinated” for rabies management or licensing purposes and should be re-vaccinated. Officials emphasize that other Boehringer Ingelheim lots and other manufacturers' rabies vaccines are not affected.
Do veterinarians recommend re vaccination?
Yes. Boehringer Ingelheim initiated a voluntary recall and is recommending that any dog, cat, or ferret that received a dose from the affected serial get a repeat rabies shot to avoid gaps in protection and to stay in line with local rabies rules, veterinary groups report. The manufacturer is contacting clinics that received the lot and supplying replacement vaccine. Veterinary associations note that an extra rabies shot is considered safe aside from the usual vaccine reactions. Clinics seeking guidance can contact Boehringer's Veterinary Technical Solutions at 1-888-637-4251, according to veterinary association notices.
What Allegheny County owners should do
Pet owners are being told to check their animal's rabies certificate for the product name IMRAB 3TF, serial number 18665, and the March 12, 2027, expiration date. If all three line up, it is time to schedule a re-vaccination appointment. If you cannot reach your clinic, the Allegheny County Health Department's rabies page lists consultation numbers: Monday through Friday, call 412-578-8070, and evenings or weekends call 412-687-2243 for guidance.
Under Pennsylvania law, a dog or cat must be vaccinated within four weeks after reaching 12 weeks of age. Animals are not considered “currently vaccinated” until 28 days after an initial rabies dose, which means licensing and post exposure rules can come into play if a possible rabies exposure occurs while that status is in question.
How widespread is the problem?
Veterinary groups describe the recall as limited to a relatively small number of vials within a single serial, and state agencies have been combing through clinic and manufacturer records to see where those doses were shipped. Infectious disease veterinarians say the recall appears to have been caught quickly and that direct notifications to clinics should keep the public health impact in check, although affected pets will still need re-vaccination to restore their legal protection. Regional notices about the recall have been circulating in several states as public health and veterinary organizations relay the manufacturer’s alert.
If you think your pet might have received a dose from the recalled batch, pull up the rabies certificate, photograph the lot information if it matches, and call your veterinarian to arrange a follow-up shot. Allegheny County and state health departments are fielding questions from owners and veterinarians about next steps and can help confirm whether a re-vaccination is needed.
