Source: 12 on your side
The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to distribute millions of oral rabies vaccine baits across parts of the Southeast during October 2026. The annual program is designed to prevent raccoon rabies from spreading westward by creating a continuous vaccination barrier among wildlife populations.
Four projects will distribute approximately 2.46 million fishmeal coated vaccine baits by airplane, helicopter, and vehicle. Target areas include portions of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and southern West Virginia. Individual projects based in Abingdon, Virginia; Andrews, North Carolina; Dalton, Georgia; and Gadsden, Alabama, will distribute between 415,000 and 712,000 baits each.
People who encounter vaccine sachets should leave them undisturbed. The USDA says the baits are safe for domestic dogs and cats, although consuming several could temporarily upset a dog’s stomach. South Carolina is currently excluded because the program targets the geographic edge of raccoon rabies rather than isolated outbreaks. USDA officials anticipate eventually expanding the vaccination barrier into parts of the state.
Read the full story HERE: https://www.12onyourside.com/2026/09/12/usda-airdrop-millions-rabies-vaccine-doses-over-these-states/