The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is concealing adverse event reports associated with Merck’s newly authorized RNA-particle rabies vaccines for pets. Documents obtained through the Access to Information Act reveal that 29 cats, 65 dogs, and one human experienced adverse reactions to the “NOBIVAC NXT FELINE-3 RABIES” vaccine, approved in Canada in June 2024. All details of these incidents have been redacted, with the CFIA citing privacy concerns and potential financial harm to third parties as justification.
Unlike COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, Merck’s rabies shot utilizes an alphavirus replicon RNA particle platform, where the genetic material is packaged within a viral-like particle derived from Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus. No lipid nanoparticles or adjuvants are used.
A Merck-sponsored study published on November 21, 2025, claimed 100% efficacy over three years from a single dose in cats and dogs aged 12 weeks or older. However, the study also noted that 3 out of 45 cats and 2 out of 42 dogs were removed from the trial for unspecified “health reasons unrelated to the vaccine.” In field safety trials, 5.7% of cats and 6.8% of dogs experienced adverse events deemed related to vaccination. The study did not address unrelated adverse events or potential fatalities.
Despite past transparency regarding veterinary vaccine injuries, the CFIA has fully redacted all descriptions of adverse events in the released documents, invoking Sections 19(1) (personal privacy) and 20(1)© (third-party financial prejudice) of the Access to Information Act. This prevents the public from knowing the severity or nature of the reported reactions, including whether any fatalities occurred.
A complaint has been filed with the Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada regarding the CFIA’s withholding of this information.
Notably, the study acknowledged that adjuvanted vaccines have been linked to local reactions and feline injection-site sarcomas—an admission that underscores ongoing concerns about vaccine safety in animals. Unlike human vaccines, veterinary vaccines in the U.S. are not indemnified against liability.
A historical and scientific side note: Rabies, like coronaviruses, relies on RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) for replication. Early research suggests zinc ionophores such as chloroquine may inhibit rabies infection in vitro, though no significant follow-up studies have been conducted.
