Launched in 2021 by Boehringer Ingelheim Vietnam, the program has been made possible through close collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Long An Province (now the Department of Agriculture and Environment), the People’s Committee of Duc Hue District, and the Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry. This year, the program aims to vaccinate approximately 8,500 dogs and cats in Duc Hue District between April 19 and April 26, 2025. Over the past five years (2021–2025), the initiative has successfully vaccinated more than 33,000 dogs and cats, significantly contributing to reducing the risk of rabies transmission within the community.

During this collaboration, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry contributes in-depth expertise and dispatches around 60 well-trained veterinary students and 8 lecturers to participate in the annual campaign. In addition to administering vaccinations, the students also play an active role in educating the public about the dangers of rabies and the importance of regular, proactive vaccination for pets. Moreover, Boehringer Ingelheim Vietnam and its partners organize extracurricular activities to raise awareness of rabies prevention in a way that is both accessible and engaging for the local community.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), rabies causes approximately 59,000 deaths globally each year. WHO also recommends maintaining a vaccination coverage of at least 70% among dogs and cats in high-risk areas to effectively prevent rabies transmission to humans. Despite notable progress in rabies prevention and control, Vietnam continues to report between 70 and 100 rabies-related deaths annually. In 2024 alone, the country recorded 80 deaths, an increase of 10 cases compared to the previous year.

Associate Professor - Dr. Le Quang Thong, Head of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Representative of Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry, shared: “Rabies can be completely controlled and eliminated through a systematic and well-coordinated approach. We believe that the combination of mass vaccination, community education, and pet monitoring is key to changing both the mindset and behaviors of pet owners. Proactively seeking veterinary support and ensuring timely vaccination form the foundation for sustainable rabies prevention in both animals and humans. With close collaboration among local authorities, professional organizations, businesses, veterinarians, pet owners, and the wider community, we can gradually work toward the goal of eliminating rabies - safeguarding the health of both people and animals.”

“The program ‘Rabies Vaccination for the Community’ has brought about meaningful changes in rabies control in Duc Hue District, helping to safeguard the health and lives of our people. We sincerely thank Boehringer Ingelheim Vietnam and the Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry for their consistent and impactful collaboration with our locality over the years,” said Ms. Dinh Thi Phuong Khanh, Deputy Director, Representative of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Long An province.

With over 30 years of global experience in rabies prevention and control, Boehringer Ingelheim has been a pioneer in driving practical initiatives to eliminate rabies - reaffirming its mission to advance both animal and human health. In Vietnam, Boehringer Ingelheim remains committed to partnering with strategic and local stakeholders to deliver sustainable impact - not only through medical expertise but also by raising public awareness and helping to build a robust rabies prevention program.

Mr. Niklas Birkner, Head of Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim Vietnam, shared: “Our vaccination campaigns over the past five years have shown that when animals are healthy, people are healthier too. We believe that the sustainable elimination of rabies requires strong collaboration among all stakeholders - from local authorities and professional organizations to businesses and the wider community. As a global leader in animal health, Boehringer Ingelheim Vietnam is committed to delivering advanced medical solutions and continuing to work hand-in-hand with our partners to raise awareness and inspire action. Every vaccination is not just about protecting pets - it’s a crucial step in safeguarding public health and supporting Vietnam’s goal of Zero human deaths from rabies by 2030.”