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County to offer free rabies revaccinations after voluntary recall; committee approves $10 animal-tag fee
Summary
Kane County health staff said a manufacturer recall prompted hundreds of notification letters and appointment-only revaccination clinics; the committee also approved a temporary ordinance to add an animal-tag provision and a $10 engraving fee for ID tags.
Kane County public-health officials announced Wednesday that the county will host appointment-only rabies revaccination clinics after manufacturer Elanco issued a voluntary recall of certain vaccine lot numbers used at county clinics last year. An animal-control official told the Public Health Committee that staff mailed hundreds of letters to affected pet owners and are offering free revaccination.
"This is a voluntary recall," the official said. "No one has to do it." The official said the company re-tested a vaccine lot in April and the manufacturer concluded that the efficacy in those vials did not meet its standard; county staff, veterinarians and the state's attorney's office then coordinated outreach and clinic scheduling.
The county plans multiple clinics and will cover vaccine costs for residents who choose revaccination; animal-control staff expect to schedule appointments through August and September with a goal of finishing by Oct. 1. Officials said veterinarians and the veterinary community advised that a second rabies dose would not harm animals and that the clinics are intended to give owners an option to boost protection.
At the same meeting the committee considered a separate animal-control proposal to produce engraved identification and exemption tags using a county tag machine. Staff showed sample tags and proposed charging $10 for an engraved ID tag (the standard exempt tag fee would apply on top of that when relevant). The presenter said exempt tags require a veterinarian's certificate and that the county will send guidance to veterinarians explaining the process.
Chair Cheryl Strathman introduced temporary ordinance 26-867 to add the animal-tag provision to the county code. After a motion and second, the committee conducted a roll call and the measure passed. Members who registered an affirmative vote included Tarver, Strathman and Roth; the chair announced, "It passes." The ordinance was approved as presented.
The animal-control official said staff had considered having veterinarians stock and issue tags but rejected that approach because it would increase costs and complicate quality control; keeping the process in-house preserves the county's registration oversight and helps emergency planning. Staff also noted work to add online purchasing for tags in future months.
The committee did not provide a final itemized budget for the recall or for tag-program start-up costs; the presenter said the county is still calculating staff-time and supply expenses and will minimize overtime by scheduling appointments.
The measure to add the tag ordinance and the announcement of revaccination clinics were the key animal-control items considered Wednesday; staff encouraged affected pet owners to follow letters they received and to contact the department to schedule appointments.
