GBHS Offers Free Replacement Rabies Vaccinations Following Manufacturer Recall
The Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS) has been notified by Elanco, the manufacturer of a rabies vaccine used by GBHS, that several vaccine lot numbers administered between July 2025 and April 2026 have been voluntarily recalled.
According to Elanco, the affected vaccine lots met all required potency standards when they were released. However, subsequent stability testing found that some lots no longer maintained the required potency through the full 12-month protection period. Because vaccine potency determines how long immunity is expected to last, pets vaccinated from these lots may not remain protected for the full year the vaccine is intended to provide.
The recall does not mean vaccinated pets have rabies or are expected to become ill. Rather, out of an abundance of caution, GBHS recommends that pets vaccinated with one of the affected lot numbers receive a replacement rabies vaccination before their current vaccine expires.
“Protecting the health of pets and the safety of the families who love them is our highest priority,” said Dr. Russell Johnson, Chief Medical Officer of the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. “As soon as we learned of the manufacturer’s recall, we launched a free revaccination program for affected pets. We understand that pet owners may have questions, and our team is committed to making this process as simple, convenient, and transparent as possible.”
If Your Pet Was Vaccinated at GBHS Between July 2025 and April 2026
Please take the following steps:
1. Check your official GBHS vaccination certificate for the vaccine lot number.
2. Compare it to the affected lot numbers listed below.
3. If your pet received one of the recalled lots, schedule a free replacement rabies vaccination.
4. If you no longer have your vaccination record or are unsure whether your pet is affected, email rabiesrecall@gbhs.org. A GBHS team member will verify your pet’s vaccination record and assist you with scheduling an appointment.
Affected Vaccine Lot Numbers
● E155948A
● E155949A
● E158770A
● E162767A
● E162767C
● E167567A
● E191877A
Free Revaccination Clinic
To help ensure every affected pet remains fully protected, GBHS will offer free replacement rabies vaccinations over a six-week period. These clinics are available only for pets that received one of the affected vaccine lot numbers listed above.
Appointments will be held at 300 Snow Drive and may be scheduled online at:
https://gbhsrabies.setmore.com/rabies
Clinic Schedule
● July 21 | 2:00–4:00 p.m.
● July 28 | 2:00–4:00 p.m.
● July 30 | 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
● August 4 | 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
● August 11 | 2:00–4:00 p.m.
● August 17–21 | 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Appointments are available throughout the clinic period, so pet owners do not need to seek emergency veterinary care solely because of this recall. Scheduling an appointment during the coming weeks will ensure affected pets receive a replacement vaccination before their current vaccine expires.
Questions About Your Pet?
Pet owners who are unsure whether their pet received one of the affected vaccine lots should email rabiesrecall@gbhs.org. GBHS staff will verify the pet’s vaccination record, answer any questions, and, if necessary, help schedule a free replacement vaccination.
GBHS appreciates the trust our community places in us. Although this recall involves specific vaccine lots identified by the manufacturer, we believe the right response is to communicate openly, act quickly, and make replacement vaccinations readily available. Protecting the health of pets and the people who love them remains our highest priority.
For additional information, please contact rabiesrecall@gbhs.org.