SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - Massachusetts law requires that dog and cat owners vaccinate their pets for rabies, but a recent recall is impacting some of those vaccinated pets. Both nationwide and right here in the Baystate. Western Mass News is getting answers on who is impacted and what next steps are.

This is the text that some pet owners received from their veterinarians, “our vaccine supplier has informed us that, out of an abundance of caution, it has issued a recall on the specific batch of rabies vaccine that was administered to your pet. The supplier has identified and corrected the issue, and no other batches are affected.”

The affected product is IMRAB 3TF, one milliliter rabies vaccine, specifically serial number 18665, which was provided by the company Boeringer Ingleheim, all of this is information you can find on your pet’s rabies certificate.

The issue is that the affected vials contained only “sterile water” rather than the active rabies vaccine, meaning that pets injected with this batch may not be protected against the virus.

We reached out to several local veterinary clinics, who were unable to comment on the incident. We also reached out to Boeringer Ingleheim, who wrote a statement that reads in part:

“Veterinarians that received vaccine from this lot have been notified directly and will be in contact with pet owners if revaccination is necessary.

Additionally, we are in communication with State veterinary government officials.

We appreciate the trust pet owners have in their veterinarian and in us and are committed to supporting veterinarians throughout this process.”

The vaccination provider and vet clinics want to be clear that this will not pose a safety issue to any pets, besides the fact that the vaccine was ineffective. If you are concerned that your pet may have received one of the recalled vaccines, contact your veterinarian to verify. Additionally, all impacted pets are recommended to be revaccinated.

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